Jump to content

User:HistoryofIran/Orodes II

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orodes II
King of kings, Arsaces, Great King
Coin of Orodes II, Mithradatkert mint.
King of the Parthian Empire
Reign57–37 BC
PredecessorMithridates IV
SuccessorPhraates IV
Died37 BC
SpouseLaodice
IssuePacorus I
Phraates IV
DynastyArsacid dynasty
FatherPhraates III
ReligionZoroastrianism

Orodes II (also spelled Urud II) was King of Kings of the Parthian Empire from 57 to 37 BC.

Background

[edit]

Orodes was a son of Phraates III (r. 69–57 BC), whose father Sinatruces (r. 78/7–69 BC),[1] was presumably a son of the Parthian ruler Mithridates I (r. 171–132 BC).[2] The name of the Arsacid branch established by Sinatruces on the Parthian throne has been coined by the modern historian Marek Jan Olbrycht as the "Sinatrucids", which ruled the Parthian Empire from 78/7 BC to 12 AD.[3]

Rise

[edit]

In c. 57 BC Phraates III was murdered by Orodes II and his elder brother Mithridates IV.[4] Mithridates IV, who was the elder brother of Orodes, was at first supported by the latter.[4] However, the two brothers quickly fell out, and Orodes revolted with the support of the Suren clan.[5] They both assumed the title of King of Kings to demonstrate their claims of superiority over each other.[6][a]

This changed the meaning of the title; originally being used as a symbol of political dominance over other realms, the title became known as a symbol of power and legitimacy for contenders in a royal family.[6] Mithridates IV was forced to flee from to Roman Syria. He took refuge with Aulus Gabinius, the Roman proconsul and governor of Syria.[8] Mithridates IV then returned to invade Parthia with Gabinius in support. The Roman proconsul marched with Mithridates IV to the Euphrates, but turned back to restore another ruler, Ptolemy XII Auletes of Egypt, to his throne.[8] Despite losing his Roman support, Mithridates IV advanced into Mesopotamia and managed to conquer Babylonia. He ousted Orodes and briefly restored his reign as king in 55 BC, minting coins in Seleucia until 54 BC.[8]

However, king Mithridates IV was besieged by Orodes' general, Surena, in Seleucia, and after a prolonged resistance, offered battle to Orodes' forces and was defeated.[8] Mithridates IV was afterwards executed in 54 BC by Orodes.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kia 2016, p. 195; Dąbrowa 2012, p. 169
  2. ^ Olbrycht 2016, p. 23.
  3. ^ Olbrycht 2016, p. 3.
  4. ^ a b Kia 2016, p. 196.
  5. ^ Olbrycht 2016, p. 23; Kia 2016, p. 196; Shayegan 2011, p. 238
  6. ^ a b Shayegan 2011, p. 238.
  7. ^ Dąbrowa 2012, p. 169; Kia 2016, p. 23; Shayegan 2011, p. 239
  8. ^ a b c d e Bivar 1983, p. 49.

Sources

[edit]
HistoryofIran/Orodes II
Preceded by King of the Parthian Empire
57 – 37 BC
Succeeded by


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).