15. Parthian script

Origin

The Parthian script developed from the Aramaic script around the 2nd century BC and was used during the Parthian and Sassanian periods of the Persian empire. The latest known inscription dates from 292 AD.

Notable features

• Written from right to left in horizontal lines.
• Only some vowels are indicated and the letters used to represent them have multiple pronunciations.
• The letters marked in red were used to write loan words from Aramaic.

Used to write

Parthian, a Middle Iranian language which originated in the ancient province of Parthia (in the northeast of modern day Iran).

Links

Information about the Parthian language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthian_language
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/parthian_history_language.php
http://www.parthia.com/parthia_language.htm
Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies at the School of Oriental and Asian Studies (SOAS), University of London: http://www.cais-soas.com