Parthians

[pahr-thee-uh n] /ˈpɑr θi ən/

noun
1.
a native or inhabitant of .
2.
an Iranian language of ancient and medieval .
adjective
3.
of, relating to, or characteristic of , its inhabitants, or their language.
/ˈpɑːθɪən/
adjective
1.
of or relating to Parthia, a country in ancient Asia, or its inhabitants
noun
2.
a native or inhabitant of Parthia
n.

1520s, native or inhabitant of Parthia (ancient kingdom northeast of Persia in western Asia), from Old Persian Parthava- “Parthian,” dialectal variant of the stem Parsa-, source of Persia.

As an adjective, 1580s. Phrase Parthian shot is in reference to their horsemen, who were expert at racing forward, turning, and shooting arrows backward at the moment of retreat. The exact phrase is attested by 1832; the image itself was in use long before (e.g. Parthian fight, 1630s).

Or, like the Parthian, I shall flying fight [“Cymbeline,” Act I, Scene VII]

were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:9). Parthia lay on the east of Media and south of Hyrcania, which separated it from the Caspian Sea. It corresponded with the western half of the modern Khorasan, and now forms a part of Persia.