Parthia

The Parthian Empire (also known as the Arsacid Empire) emerged from the mid-third century BC, and lasted until 224 AD. Positioned on the routes between the Roman Empire and the Chinese Han Empire, Parthia was a strategically important area for all trade between east and west, and indeed produced commerce itself to be traded, especially carpets and artisanal textiles.  Political instability in the empire however sometimes hindered the progress of cultural and economic development, as well as deterring traders from crossing the region.