In the 60's of the 1st century B.C. after the campaign of Pompey in the Near East, the Parthian kingdom became the direct neighbour of Rome. The period of peaceful coexistence of Parthia and Rome did not last long and from the end of the 50's of the 1st century B.C. a longstanding confrontation commenced between them for the leadership in Asia. According to antic sources, Parthia had the same political importance as Rome and they were rivals of equal force. The fight between Parthia and Rome obtained permanent character and a system of "political dualism" was formed in the East as a result of this confrontation.
The fight for hegemony in the Near East was not limited only to hostile actions. various political and social groups commence uniting around Rome and Parthia. The Romans declared themselves successors of the policy of kings of the Hellenistic era and they enjoyed great support of the Greek-Hellenized population. The Parthian kingdom, on the contrary, became the uniting centre of the Anti-Hellenistic circles and the political and social groups dissatisfied with "The Roman order". The Parthians considered themselves successors of the Achemenidian Iran and laid the claim to the Asian territories under governance of Rome.
The hostility between Parthian and Rome lasted for centuries and greatly influenced the later development of The Near East.