Elymais Kamnaskirid Billon Tetradrachm

The Elymais were a small kingdom located in the southwestern part of Iran, in the mountainous region of Elam, between Mesopotamia and Fars. They emerged in the 2nd century BCE, taking advantage of the decline of the Seleucids. The Kamnaskirid dynasty was the first to rule Elymais, founded by Kamnaskires I. These kings issued coins inspired by Seleucid and Parthian models, bearing Greek inscriptions. Often vassals of the Parthians, they nevertheless maintained a high degree of local autonomy. Their culture blended Greek, Iranian, and Mesopotamian elements, reflecting the diversity of the Hellenistic Near East.