Due to the lack of written sources, it is difficult to determine exactly what Parthian religious beliefs regarding sexuality were like.
There are some general trends that can be inferred from archaeological finds. In Parthian culture, marriage was seen as a sacred act between man and woman, usually involving an exchange of gifts. It also had legal implications such as inheritance rights for children born out of wedlock. Adultery was considered a crime punishable by death, but the exact definition of this term is unclear. Some scholars believe that it could have been applied more broadly to extramarital relationships, while others suggest that it may have referred specifically to married women engaging in sexual acts outside their marriages. The concept of adultery is thought to have been influenced by Zoroastrian views on purity and pollution, which emphasized that contact with the bodily fluids of another person could lead to moral corruption.
The Parthians viewed sex as something that should occur within the confines of marriage, but they also recognized that humans have desires beyond procreation. In fact, there are several references to male homosexuality in Parthian artwork and literature. While same-sex relationships were not openly accepted, they were tolerated if they remained hidden. Male-male relationships were often described in terms of love or friendship rather than lust, and many people engaged in them without any social stigma. There is no evidence that female homosexuality was accepted, however.
In addition to these rules governing heterosexual and homosexual relationships, the Parthians believed that celibacy was ideal for religious leaders. These individuals were required to abstain from all forms of sexual activity in order to maintain their purity and devotion to the gods. This practice may have been adopted from Zoroastrianism or other nearby religions, as it was common among Near Eastern religions at the time.
Parthian religion placed a strong emphasis on sexual restraint and chastity, both for men and women. This likely had a significant impact on individual conscience and communal identity, shaping how people understood themselves and their place in society. It's possible that this emphasis on sexual morality contributed to the spread of Zoroastrianism throughout Central Asia during the early centuries AD.
How did adherence to sexual rules shape individual conscience and communal identity in Parthian religion?
The Parthians were a nomadic people who inhabited parts of Iran and Central Asia from the 3rd century BC until the 3rd century AD. Their religion was polytheistic and centered around the worship of the sun god Mithra, as well as other deities such as Anahita, Naneh, and Verethragna.