A Parthian prince who traded a crown for a translation desk
Early Chinese Buddhist tradition holds that An Shigao, the first major translator of Buddhist scriptures into Chinese, was a prince of the Parthian Empire in what is now Iran who renounced his claim to the throne, travelled the length of Asia, and settled at the Han capital of Luoyang around 148 CE to render Indian meditation texts into Chinese.
How we know
An Shigao active at Luoyang c. 148-180 CE as the earliest known translator of Buddhist texts into Chinese; his 'An' surname marks Parthian (Arsacid/Anxi) origin. The royal-prince biography is the traditional account; scholars note it is not independently documented and he has never been identified with any Parthian prince in western sources. Sources: Wikipedia 'An Shigao'; Encyclopedia of Buddhism 'An Shigao'; Encyclopedia.com 'An Shigao'.
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