Pacorus II of Parthia

Pacorus II of Parthia.

Pacorus II of Parthia ruled the Parthian Empire from about 78 to 105. A son of Vonones II and brother of Vologases I, he was given the kingdom of Media Atropatene by the latter after his succession to the throne. After Vologases' death, Pacorus revolted against his brother's son and successor, Vologases II (c. 78–80), defeating and deposing him.

According to Dio Cassius Pacorus sold the kingdom of Osroene to Abgar VII, and according to Ammianus Marcellinus he enlarged the Parthian Ctesiphon and built its walls.

In the year 101, Pacorus sent an embassy to the Han Dynasty of China, the latter which recorded Parthia as the Anxi kingdom.

On his numerous coins he always calls himself "Arsaces Pacorus". This mention of his proper name, together with the royal name Arsaces, shows that his kingdom was disputed by rivals. Three of them we know from coins; in addition to Vologases II, they included Artabanus III, c. 80–90 and Vologases III, from about 105.

Pacorus died about 105; he was succeeded by his brother Osroes I, who maintained the rivalry with king Vologases III based in east Parthia.

References

• Crespigny, Rafe de. (2007). A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23-220 AD). Leiden: Koninklijke Brill. ISBN 9004156054.

Pacorus II of Parthia Arsacid dynasty
Preceded by Vologases II	Great King (Shah) of Parthia 78–105	Succeeded by Osroes I

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 
• Dio Cassius, lxviii, 17.
• Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, xxiii, 6, 23.