Phraates II of Parthia

Coin of Phraates II from the mint at Seleucia on the Tigris. The reverse shows a seated god (perhaps Sarapis) holding Nike and a cornucopia. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ([coin] of the Great King Arsaces, bearer of victory).

Phraates II of Parthia, son of Mithridates I of Parthia (171–128 BC), the conqueror of Babylon, ruled the Parthian Empire from 138 BC to 128 BC. He was attacked in 130 BC by Antiochus VII Sidetes (138–129 BC), ruler of the Seleucid Empire. Antiochus VII, however, after great initial success, was defeated and killed in battle in Media in 129 BC, which ended the Seleucid rule east of the Euphrates.

Meanwhile Parthia was invaded by the nomadic Saka and Tochari. Phraates II marched against them, his army including a large force of captured Seleucid soldiers from the army of the late Antiochus VII Sidetes. These ultimately refused to fight for the Parthian king, and he was defeated and killed in a great battle inside and around Media.

Phraates II of Parthia Arsacid dynasty Died: 127 BC
Preceded by Mithridates I	King of Parthia 138–127 BC	Succeeded by Artabanus 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. 
• Junianus Justinus, Historiarum Philippicarum, xli
• http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/cleopatra01/cleopatra_thea.html