The pivotal roles of Seleucia-Ctesiphon city cluster along the Silk Road
The Seleucia-Ctesiphon city cluster refers to the urban agglomeration formed at the both banks of the middle Tigris River during the Parthia-Sasanian period.It consists of contiguous cities inclu-ding Veh-Ardashir,Ctesiphon,Aspanbar,Valashabad,and Weh Antīōk Khosrow.The originally Hel-lenistic city Seleucia forms the foundation of the inception and development of this city cluster.Both the migration of Tigris River channel and the events of establishing capital in the region by the Parthian and Sasanian empires led to the city re-structuring.The up-and-coming city cluster was still the most signifi-cant crossroads at the land and water transport networks of Eurasia and the centre of imperial politics.It also functioned as the transit hub of the Silk Road,a place where all the treasures from the route con-verged.At the same time,this cluster provided a stage for the cultural exchange and integration of diverse ethnic groups.As a key Jewish enclave during the Babylonian captivity,the region was the birthplace of Babylonian Talmud.After the arrival of Christianity in Mesopotamia,the cluster became the temporary residence of bishop and a local theological centre,supporting the eastward dissemination of Nestorian Church during the Sassanid-Arabian era.In addition,Manicheanism,Buddhism,and Zoroastrianism and many other religious beliefs also left traces in the area.Seleucia-Ctesiphon city cluster was the epito-me of the vibrant trading and cultural exchanges happened along the Silk Road.
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