The Study of the Role of Women in the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid Periods Based on the Surviving Coins

The present research aimed to study the role of women in the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid dynasties by examining the coins left over from those periods. The study universe included the written historical references and other related works about the status of women in the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid dynasties. The sample subsumed the coins left over from those periods. The research method was descriptive - analytical. To collect data library procedure by using written documents and authentic resources was implemented The data was analyzed via content analysis. The findings showed: while a coin is a tool for economic exchanges, a sign of independence, and the representation of the nationality of each ethnicity but at the same time it is a valid document that indicates the social, cultural, political, and ancient history of nations and provides useful information about the status of women. The images, names and titles of royal women, images of goddesses and related symbols that engraved on Parthian and Sassanid coins, indicated the high position of women in those periods. Although the surviving artworks from the Achaemenid period provide valuable information about the women of this era, but in the coins of this period, like other works, the image of a woman is not seen. Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian court women played a role in politics and society as examples of powerful, resourceful and strong-willed women. In general, women in these periods reached a position equal to that of men (kings), and their names and images have been preserved on coins.