Analysis of Armenia's Geopolitical Landscape in the Parthian Period; According to the Archaeological Findings

Introduction Armenia has attracted the attention of many different nations because of its geopolitical situation, that's why this country with its strategic location has been epicenter of the wars in Iran and Rome in the Parthian era. Finally, during of the Sassanid period conflicts had been ended with dividing of Armenia between the two great powers. Roman army failed repeatedly in the face of Parthians guerrilla forces in Mesopotamian plains and finally used the natural geography campaign to Iran. For this purpose, that roman army chose Armenia to march into Iran, Parthian government built a string of defensive fortifications to confronting with their intermittent attacks at the entrance of road to the Iranian plateau in north western.
Methodology In this research, used analytical and descriptive approach based on field and library study, historical written sources and archaeological data which includes Parthian fortresses of the northwest to the study of communication and conflicts between powerful nations during the Parthian period.
Results and Discussion In our survey in Meshkin Shahr we recognized 8 fortresses in this period that built to defensing of roman and Armenian attack to Iran. It seems that in the beginning of wares in the Orod one time and failing of roman from Parthian in Horan ware, roman understood that he did not conquered to Parthian in plains because of the power and mobility of Parthian cavalry. In the fourth Farhad, roman under the leader ship of Mark Anthony attacked to Iran from north western and blockade Fraspa (The center of Atropathen). This study also recognizes the relationship between the two empires mentioned above and consequently has attended political and military geographical knowledge of Armenia.
Conclusion The results showed important geopolitical situation of Armenia in the Iranian military and political relations with neighboring and competitors countries.