Goshtasps

Goshtasps were a pre-Parthian tribe that inhabited the region of Khuzestan, located in what is now southwestern Iran. They were mentioned in the Achaemenid Rock Inscriptions as a division of the empire under the rule of the Achaemenid king Darius I.

The name Goshtaspa is thought to be derived from the Middle Persian word "goshtasp", which means "horse-slayer". This name is likely a reference to the tribe's supposed expertise in horsemanship. Archaeological finds in the region have revealed a number of artifacts that suggest a significant degree of cultural and economic development, including abundant evidence of horse bones and other equine artifacts.

The Goshtasps were also mentioned in the Behistun Inscription as one of several regions under the control of Darius I. This inscription provides valuable insight into the administrative structure of the Achaemenid Empire and its multilingual and multicultural nature.

While the exact role and extent of the Goshtasp tribe within the broader context of the ancient Near East are still the subject of historical debate and interpretation, the discovery of their mention in the Achaemenid Rock Inscriptions and the Behistun Inscription serves as a testament to their existence and economic and cultural significance.

As a consequence of the linguistic and cultural evolution that characterized the Achaemenid Empire, the knowledge of the Goshtasps begins immediately to lose consistency from the 3rd century BC onwards. However, they are still remembered as a contributing element of the pre-Parthian influences across the area.