**Formulating weird ideas of this being either a dragonborn empire or a tiefling empire, or perhaps a place where aasimar and tieflings each rule city-states**

Now definitely thinking about dragonborn! Because, see, the ancient Sumerian gods were DRAGONS, with the good metallic dragons led by Anu/Bahamut, who helped the other metallic dragons defeat Tiamat in the creation of the world. The major cities of Sumer were all ruled by dragons, who eventually fell into slumber beneath the cities.

Ahura Mazda also equals Bahamut, and Angra Mainyu is Tiamat. Dragonborn Zoroastrians use dragon symbology for the gods.

Geography

Culture

History

Religion

Zoroastrianism, the state religion of Parthia, is an ancient tradition which had a profound influence on the religions of the Western world. The founding prophet, Zoroaster (as it is written in Greek; his Iranian name was Zarathushtra), lived around 1400 BCE in the region now known as Parthia (modern Iran). Although the religion taught by Zoroaster centers around the worship of one deity, Ahura Mazda, the creator of all that is good, the faith is strongly dualistic. Opposed to Ahura Mazda is the evil spirit Angra Mainyu, the source of violence and death. Humans have freedom to choose between these two powers, but both at the time of death and at the cosmic final judgement they will be judged by their deeds — those who followed Mazda will be rewarded in heaven and those who followed Angra Mainyu punished in hell. (The influence of this religion on apocalyptic Judaism and thereby on Christianity should be obvious.)

The practice of Zoroastrianism centers on physical and moral purity, which is essential to offering worship. Worship centers around fire, both in temples and in homes, which is seen as Mazda's representative on earth. The fire receives and carries to Mazda both prayers and ritual offerings.

History

Parthia revolted against Seleucid empire in 245BCE (Bactria in 239BCE)

Parthian empire built on rel. of Parthia w/ neighboring tribes (nomadic and not) to north of Iran.

Capital at Ctesiphon on the Tigris near Persian Gulf.

"Anti-Hellenistic" period from 2-162CE

Kings:

Artabanus III 16-42

Vardanes 42-46

Gotarzes 46-51

Vologases I 51-90