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Arrowhead (?)

ca. 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE
Not on view
This bronze arrowhead has a long tang and a blunt head rather than a point. It was discovered on the surface at Shahr-i Qumis in northern Iran, which has been identified as the ancient city of Hecatompylos, established by the Parthians as their capital by about 200 B.C. In Greek Hecatompylos means ‘a hundred gates,’ suggesting that the city was quite large. Indeed, the modern archaeological site includes several mounds, only a few of which have been excavated, and a vast area covered with potsherds. The Parthians were famed in antiquity as archers, and gave their name to the ‘Parthian shot,’ a tactic in which a mounted archer rides away from his enemy while firing arrows at him. This arrowhead, however, was probably not used on people but to hunt birds.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Arrowhead (?)
  • Period: Parthian (?)
  • Date: ca. 3rd century BCE–3rd century CE
  • Geography: Iran, Shahr-i Qumis (ancient Hecatompylos)
  • Culture: Parthian (?)
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 0.31 x 1.38 in. (0.79 x 3.51 cm)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, H. Dunscombe Colt Gift, 1969
  • Object Number: 69.24.24
  • Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art

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