The Parthian legislature was a bicameral institution. “Camera” is Latin for “chamber” hence, bi-cameral = two chambers. (Not to be confused with “two camels”.) The “upper house” was essentially the royals, or royal family—the Arsacid dynasty. The “lower house” consisted of the priests and other non-royal (noble) influential families and citizens. Collectively, this lower house was known as the House of Megistanes (magistrates), or Magi—carrying the name of the prominent Median tribe (Magians) from whom they descended.