Mahestan and Moghestan: An etymologic conversion regrouping for better figuring out the Arsacids parliament

In modern era, many authors have covered the topic of Iranian parliament during Arsacids, but it can be seen that their takes from historical accounts leave a place for further excavations when the integrity of an argument is in question.

Etymologic analysis of words brings the idea forth that in ancient era in many cultures the term used for consulting and decisioning assemblies, was tightly related to sitting, in most cases in a circular resembler settings around. The word parliament can be related to lying and leaning, where par reflects it being in disperse, while the word majlis (middle eastern) has the portion of jolus related to sitting (consider jelo:forth; ajal:time; jail/ceal/sleep:resting-in-place; jelous: envy-for-going-forth; shall:permission; seal:ratify). The prefix ma- in majlis refers to gathering together, the trace of which can be seen in matter, which means a body of soil (ma+terra). Compare with par- prefix in parliament.

As such, considering the continual presence of the word majlis in Iranian dilemma, the meetings were both the upper house and lower house were assembling together could had retained the title of majlis, even in Arsacid era, while multiple layers of cultural exchanges were inevitable for a presence in close proximities by neighboring cultures.

So in conclusion, the words used for each of the inclusive and exclusive forming bodies can be formalized as below in theory:

1- Upper house (of wise and experienced men): Mahestan (Senate)

2- Lower house (of royals and religious influentials): Moghestan

3- Congress: Majlos

An eventual etymology can be Ma+Shah+Lis, kings residence gatherings. (Compare Location, Perspolis, and Metropolis for sense of Lis)

حضور مجلس انس است و دوستان جمعند / و ان یکاد بخوانید و در فراز کنید

-Hafez, 244