Artabanus I of Parthia

Coin of Artabanus I. Reverse shows a seated goddess (perhaps Demeter) holding Nike and a cornucopia. Text reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ([coin] of king Arsaces). The date ΗΠΡ is 188 of the Seleucid era, that is, 125 BC–124 BC.

For another ruler also known as Artabanus I, see Arsaces II of Parthia.

Artabanus I of Parthia ruled the Parthian Empire from c. 128 to 124 BC. He succeeded his nephew Phraates II and died, just like his predecessor, in battle against the Tochari - a name commonly identified with the Yuezhi of the Chinese sources, who had fled from Gansu in northwest China, via the Ili River and Issyk Kul region and then through Dayuan (Ferghana) into Daxia or Bactria, and apparently also invaded the eastern territories of Iran:

"Bello Tochariis inlato, in bracchio vulneratus statim decedit"

"During the war against the Tokharians, he was wounded in the arm and died immediately" Justin, Epitomes, XLII,2,2.

He is perhaps identical with the Artabanus mentioned in Trogus, Prologi, xli, 5.

Artabanus I of Parthia Arsacid dynasty Died: 124 BC
Preceded by Phraates II	Great King (Shah) of Parthia 128–124 BC	Succeeded by Mithridates II

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 
• Justin, Epitome of Pompeius Trogus, xli, 2