The article discusses the question of whether the last Seleucid satrap of Parthia, Andragoros, or the leader of Parnoi, Arshak, was the creator of the Parthian state. Based on the analysis of the epitome of Justin, the author comes to the conclusion that Andragoros remained loyal to the Seleucids until the very end, and independent Parthia arose due to the capture of the satrapy by Arshak. Key words: Andragoros, Arshak, Parthia, Justin. Among researchers of early Parthian history, it is widely believed that the Parthian state arose due to the deposition of the satrap of Parthia Andragora from the Seleucid empire and only then fell into the hands of the leader of the Iarnae Arshak I, who became the founder of the Arsacid dynasty. However, how well-founded is this point of view? The epitome of Pompey Trogus ' Historiae Philippicae, written by Justin, which is the only narrative source that mentions Andragorus, says literally the following:: "After him (Antigonus - A. B.) they (Parthians - A. B.) were owned by Seleucus Nicator, and then by Antiochus and his heirs. From his great-grandson Seleucus, they were first deposited during the First Punic War in the consulship of Lucius Manlius Vulson and Marcus Atilius Regulus. The dissensions between the two brother tsars gave this apostasy impunity: Seleucus and Antiochus, who missed (the opportunity. - AB) to punish those who were postponed while they were trying to wrest the royal power from each other... At this time there was Arsaces, a man of unknown origin, but of proven prowess. He usually lived by robbing and looting. When he received the news that Seleucus had been defeated by the Gauls in Asia, he freed himself from the fear of the king, attacked the Parthians with a band of robbers, defeated their ruler Andragoros, and, having killed him, seized power over the people."1Historians of the mid-second half of the nineteenth century simply cited this account of Justin in the relevant parts of their works, while referrin ... Read more