Musa of Parthia
| Musa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Queen of the Parthian Empire | |
| Reign | 2 BC – 2 AD |
| Predecessor | Phraates IV |
| Successor | Orodes III |
| Co-ruler | Phraates V (2 BC – 2 AD) |
| Died | 2 AD |
| Spouse | Phraates IV |
| Issue | Phraates V |
Musa, also known as Thermusa, was queen of the Parthian Empire from 2 BC to 2 AD. Originally the queen of the Parthian monarch Phraates IV (r. 37 BC – 2 BC), she killed the latter, and co-ruled the empire with her son, Phraates V. She is the first of only three women to rule in Iranian history, the others being the two 7th-century Sasanian sisters Boran (r. 630–630, 631–632) and Azarmidokht (r. 630–631).
Biography
Musa was a Roman concubine who was given to the Parthian monarch Phraates IV (r. 37 BC – 2 BC) by the Roman emperor Augustus (r. 27 BC – 14 CE) after a treaty in 20 BC in which the Parthians acknowledged Roman hegemony over Armenia, whilst the Romans in return acknowledged the Euphrates as the border.[1] Musa quickly became queen and a favourite of Phraates IV, giving birth to Phraataces (Phraates V).[2] It was reportedly under her influence, that Phraates IV sent his four first-born sons to Rome in order to prevent conflict over his succession.[3] In 2 BC, Musa had Phraates IV poisoned and made herself along with Phraates V (who was an illegitimate son) the co-rulers of the empire.[4]
However, after a short period of ruling, they were both overthrown and executed by the nobility, who put a certain Orodes III on the throne two years later.[5]
References
- ^ Kia 2016, p. 199; Schippmann 1986, pp. 525–536
- ^ Kia 2016, p. 198; Schippmann 1986, pp. 525–536
- ^ Kia 2016, p. 198; Dąbrowa 2012, p. 173; Schippmann 1986, pp. 525–536
- ^ Kia 2016, p. 199; Richardson 2012, p. 161
- ^ Kia 2016, p. 199; Dąbrowa 2012, p. 174
Sources
- Dąbrowa, Edward (2012). "The Arsacid Empire". In Daryaee, Touraj (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Iranian History. Oxford University Press. pp. 1–432. ISBN 0-19-987575-8.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Kia, Mehrdad (2016). The Persian Empire: A Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1610693912.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Marciak, Michał (2017). Sophene, Gordyene, and Adiabene: Three Regna Minora of Northern Mesopotamia Between East and West. BRILL. ISBN 9789004350724.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Richardson, J.S. (2012). Augustan Rome 44 BC to AD 14: The Restoration of the Republic and the Establishment of the Empire. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-0-7486-1954-2.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Schippmann, K. (1986). "Arsacids ii. The Arsacid dynasty". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. II, Fasc. 5. pp. 525–536.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Schmitt, Rüdiger (2005). "Personal Names, Iranian iv. Parthian Period". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
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