stem thus established that the
Parthian monarchs took the title of "King of Kings", so frequent upon
their coins, which seems sometimes to have been exchanged for what was
regarded as an equivalent phrase, "Satrap of Satraps". This title seems
to appear first on the coins of Mithridates I.

In the Parthian system there was one anomaly of a very curious
character. The Greek towns, which were scattered in large numbers
throughout the Empire, enjoyed a municipal government of their own, and
in some cases were almost independent communities, the Parthian kings
exercising over them little or no control. The great city of Seleucia
on the Tigris was the most important of all these: its population was
estimated in the first century after Christ at six hundred thousand
souls; it had strong walls, and was surrounded by a most fertile
territory. It had its own senate, or municipal council, of three hundred
members, elected by the people to rule them from among the wealthiest
and best educated of the citizens. Under ordinary circumstances it
enjoyed the blessing of complete self-government, and was entirely free
from Parthian interference, paying no doubt its tribute, but otherwise
holding the position of a "free city." It was only in the case of
internal dissensions that these advantages were lost, and the Parthian
soldiery, invited within the walls, arranged the quarrels of parties,
and settled the constitution of the State at its pleasure. Privileges
of a similar character, though, probably, less extensive, belonged
(it would seem) to most of the other Greek cities of the Empire. The
Parthian monarchs thought it polite to favor them; and their practice
justified the title of "Phil-Hellene," which they were fond of assuming
upon their coins. On the whole, the policy may have been wise, but it
diminished the unity of the Empire; and there were times when serious
danger arose from it. The Syro-Macedonian monarchs could always count
with certainty on having powerful friends in Parthia, whatever portion
of it they invaded; and even the Romans, though their ethnic connection
with the cities was not so close, were sometimes indebted to them for
very important assistance.

We are told that Mithridates I., after effecting his conquests, made a
collection of the best laws which he found to prevail among the various
subject peoples, and imposed them upon the Parthian nation. This
statement is, no doubt, an exaggeration; but we may attribu