The library at Alexandria contained manuscripts from Parthia, India, China, and even Japan, making it the greatest in the world. [1]
In the times of Jesus, Rome and Parthia engaged in wars that left Syria under Roman control, while Palestine and Syria experienced prosperity and peace due to Roman policy and the weakening of the Seleucids by the rising power of Parthia. [2]
See also: UB 134:2.1.