In this paper, an investigation on the relation between state-building and Near Eastern religion is attempted. Analyzing the city-state of Ḥaṭrā (Iraq, close to Kirkuk), it is demonstrated that pre-Islamic state craft in the region was dependent on the initiative of the Parthian monarchy in Iran. The kings of the Arsacid dynasty attempted to bestow the local Arabic tribes in the Jazira with a c...

in this paper, an investigation on the relation between state-building and near eastern religion is attempted. analyzing the city-state of ḥaṭrā (iraq, close to kirkuk), it is demonstrated that pre-islamic state craft in the region was dependent on the initiative of the parthian monarchy in iran. the kings of the arsacid dynasty attempted to bestow the local arabic tribes in the jazira with a c...