An Overview of Sources on the Elymais Kingdom

Elymais was one of the independent states located in southwestern Iran during the Seleucid and Parthian periods. Understanding and studying this kingdom is crucial for comprehending the broader historical and archaeological landscape of ancient Iran. Despite the considerable amount of research and archaeological excavations conducted over the past century, our knowledge and understanding of the Elymaeans still remain incomplete, fragmented, and filled with numerous uncertainties. Therefore, undertaking a thorough investigation of this ancient kingdom—particularly by focusing on the various intra-regional dimensions of Elymaean society in comparison to external and neighboring communities—is essential for achieving a more holistic view of their political structure, social organization, and cultural identity. Given the numerous ambiguities and the fragmentary nature of the available evidence surrounding this independent kingdom, relying solely on one or a few sources will not be sufficient. It becomes necessary, then, to examine, analyze, and interpret all the relevant sources collectively and in conjunction with one another. Thus, becoming familiar with and identifying the full range of sources related to this ancient civilization is the initial and foundational step toward enhancing our scholarly knowledge and facilitating further, more nuanced studies. The objective of this research is to introduce and systematically categorize Elymaean-related sources and to critically review the existing studies through the following questions: What are the sources for Elymaean studies, and how are they categorized? What kinds of information can each source type yield? Additionally, this study examines, to the extent possible, the thematic and informational nature of the sources discussed.