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Home , Artabanus I of Parthia, Characene, Gotarzes I, Gotarzes II, Media (region), Orodes II

The Politics of in Author(s): Farhang Khademi Nadooshan, Seyed Sadrudin Moosavi, Frouzandeh Jafarzadeh Pour Reviewed work(s): Source: Near Eastern Archaeology, Vol. 68, No. 3, Archaeology in (Sep., 2005), pp. 123-127 Published by: The American Schools of Oriental Research Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25067611 . Accessed: 06/11/2011 07:31

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http://www.jstor.org The Parthians (174 BCE-224CE) suc- , The discussed here are primarily from ceeded in the the Lorestan Museum, which houses the establishing longest jyj^' in the ancient coins of southern Media.1 However, lasting J0^%^ 1 .At its Parthian JF the coins of northern Media are also height, ^S^ considered thanks to the collection ruleextended to M from ^^^/;. housed in the Museum theIndus and the Valley from Ef-'?S&f?'''' in the city of . Most of the Sea to the Persian m Caspian ^^^/// coins of the Azerbaijan Museum Farhang Khademi Gulf Consummate horsemen el /?/ have been donated by local ^^ i Nadooshan, Seyed indigenoustoCentral Asia, the ? people and have been reported ?| ?????J SadrudinMoosavi, Parthians achieved fame for Is u1 and documented in their names. andFrouzflndeh having routed the remnants of It Even though many of these coins W^^\\\ JafarzadehPour are it seems s Empire from Per- wl unprovenanced, ^5v\\ clear that were collected in sia.After defeating the Seleucid Vfc they ^^#v<\ and no coins emperoron the IranianPlateau, yk Azerbaijan province ^for1 in the museum collection came thefirst Parthian ruler, Arsaces, \jL ^jfl from other provinces. establishedthe Arsacid \ dynastyof ^^ Comparing the type, date, and . The in the satrapy ofMedia, ^^S^ weight of the coins from these museums cen Iranian heartland, had been themain has led to some interesting conclusions. For ter it of resistance against example, appears that theSeleucids, according only drachmas with were to historical documents, standard weights andwould not succumb in circulation in the Persian while fully to Parthian domi territory, were the nation until over one standard currency of the hundred years later. It . Parthia Seleucids. According was Arsaces illustrious ?Europui^S?^r Ecbatanac t, #/?ha^ex HariracL^/^ A" \?\ (Arsaaa) ^j^?sa-*' / \ to Sellwood, during descendant, the of the Se1e"^&fe?ia ?usa Tabae (Esfahan) #Farah/ , ?' t long reign dates who Neh# -; I, conquered m?ET\> Suslana Dran8iZ?!L/ f\ Parthians (about five ^jL. (Cr^aCenfcKA Eiymais jS?DaiWhefc^e \ Media and its important centuries), the weight of and legendary capital drachma coins remained ' constant . In antici ' ? (1980: 8). But of HA? ?HMMBHtek.. (Kerman) in and pation of the eventual the of unification of Media , weight with Mithra Parthian tetradrachms Parthia, was Map of the . Media is in the northwest. reduced. Since dates immediately the composition of the coins in --awliffigma" began issuing coins is not known to us the region?even before due to the fact that most

his conquest ofEcbatana. k i chemical analyses require For I destructive methods years, specimens of j 1955: it theseParthian coins from I' I (Caley 1-104), sat * Media have relatively These coins of Mithradates I unnoticed inmuseums in were at probably minted Tabriz and Lorestan.With Hekatompylos in eastern insufficient archaeologi Parthia and represent the cal this L first economic intervention informationfrom I of the Parthians in these coins region, may i I northern Media affairs be our best hope for I f in the second ' beginning understanding the nature century bce. All illustrations of theParthian presence courtesy of authors unless inMedia. otherwise noted.

NEAR EASTERNARCHAEOLOGY 68:3 (2005) 123 JET '??????bi?^^.^^k

Drachms of Artabanus This of Orodes The coins from the long reign of Mithridates II Mithradatkart in II, like this one, are not I (90-80 bce)who (124-88 bce) are known in both northern and was one of found in the Lorestan followed (95 southern Media although these coins from the the Parthian mints during on were III Museum and may not 90 bce) the Parthian north probably minted in Parthia. the reign of Phraates was have circulated in southern throne is the only coin in (70-57 bce) and likely Media. Artabanus' reign the Parthian collection to have been the origin was was relatively short (128 at the Tabriz Museum of this coin. Phraates 124 bce) and the presence to have been minted in killed by his son M ith ridates of his coins minted in in the south. IIIwhose reign lasted only the Median heartland a very short time until he, of Ectabana shows the in turn, was killed by his The sons of Phraates IV, ] degree of control over brother, Phraates other son, Vonones Iand Orodes III, the northern of the Orodes II. part returned to Parthia and territory. ruled for a short period. This coin of Vonones' short four

year reign was minted in Ecbatana.

Artabanus IIand his successors extended

Until the twenty-year reign Parthian noblemen, Parthian rule over most in even of Orodes II(57-38 bce), restoring Parthian power of present-day Iran was the city of Hekatompylos Media and Mesopotamia, though he followed a was important economic brought Artabanus II, by another Parthian were son a center and but Many of the coins of Phraates IV (38-2 bce) of local Median king, monarchic struggle diminished in importance minted in the Median heartland city of Ecbatana. to power. Artabanus's between Gotarzes II (40 thereafter. Orodes IIgave After the death of Phraates IV, Parthia was ruled reign lasted twenty-eight 51 ce), whose coin this a son up his throne at the end of for short time by his Phraataces () years. His coins, minted is, in the main part of the to one Musa. V the coin in were his reign of his sons, and his mother Phraates issued Ecbatana, widely empire and Phraates IV. on the right during his brief two year reign. circulated inMedia. (40-47 ce) inMedia.

124 NEAR EASTERNARCHAEOLOGY 68:3 (2005) Pacorus IIof Parthia ruled the Parthian Artabanus III (80-90 ce) contended for the

Empire from about 78-105 CE. He was throne of Pacorus II.On some coins he k given the kingdom of Media by his calls himself Arsaces Artabanus. Pacorus L brother Vologases Iafter his succession I eventually subdued him, however, I to the throne. After Vologases' death, m Pacorus revolted against his brother's pushed the westward, son and II 78 f successor, Vologases (ca. captured , and finally 80 ce), and him. On defeating deposing succeeded in occupying both Media his numerous coins he always calls himself and Mesopotamia. During the last years "Arsaces Pacorus." This mention of his of his life, he was forced to deal with a proper name together with the royal S i' ^ I divided as several Parthian name rule, kings % Arsaces, shows that his kingship ruled in I was disputed by rivals. Mesopotamia simultaneously. The historical documents on these * is not clear whether or not this was a kings are limited to numismatic and which indicate measure on the part of the Parthians to epigraphic evidence, that the Parthian minor control inflation in the Persian territory. kings enjoyed the of the local of As a bridge between the support population was a After the of Mithradates II and the and Mesopotamia, Media crossroads of cultures, and its Mesopotamia. disappearance was a nexus decline of several minor Parthian the Parthian came capital Ecbatana not only commercial but also a kings, Empire under the control of aMedian who was an Arsacid meeting place for the peoples visiting from Seleucis and . king, Darius, his mother's The Seleucid Antiochus IV installed his minister only by lineage. Mithradates a Parthian of killed his father Timarachus as of Media for the purpose of reinforcing III, king Media, Phraates III and was in turn killed his brother Orodes II.Until political relations with these regions. by the time of the of was an Phriapatius, the thirdKing of Parthia, had two sons, Phraates and Orodes, city Heactompylos important center of the Parthian Orodes after a Mithridates. Phraates I succeeded his father and may have been the kingdom. II, long reign, gave his throne to one of his sons, Phraates IV.Our information first to capture the strategic Caspian gateway and prepare the ground up about Media this of Parthian rule is based for his brother Mithradates I to penetrateMedia, which was then still during phase upon evidence to the of Phraates IV in wars controlled by the Seleucids. Possibly due to his personal participation relating engagement him the Roman Mark in in battles on the northwestern frontier against the and the waged against by Anthony was (Bivar 1993: 59). Phraates IV concluded a peace treaty Bactrians, he unable to take part personally in the war against Azerbaijan with Mark the Roman after which the latter the Seleucids. His commander may have led a division to occupy Anthony, Proconsul, Media (Assar 2004: 69-93) and establish Parthian power there. The end of was marked a revolt Osroes II.He After the death of Mithridates, his son Phraates II attacked Media Vologases' reign by by is unknown to except for the coins he issued. The date of his and faced Antiochus VII in battle staying there for an entire winter. reign suggests that he rebelled against Vologases IV but was unable Antiochus VII, however, was assassinated by Scythian to maintain himself aqainst Voloqases' __ who also, in turn, killed Phraates II.When Mithradates II ascended successor. His coins were issued by the the Parthian he inherited a Parthian devastated throne, territory by mint at Ecbatana, suggesting that he the Scythian onslaught. Thus, he enjoyed the support of the Iranian controlled Media at one time. population in both Media and . Later, Mithradates II

sst - AtS - At~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,=s

During the extraordinarily long reign of Vologases IV (147-191 ce) coins of different types were minted in several locations.

NEAR EASTERNARCHAEOLOGY 68:3 (2005) 125 returned to via Armenia. After the death of Phraates IV, inMedia, Mesopotamia, and Syria. Artabanus II (10-38 CE) and his successors over Phraataces and his mother Musa jointly ruled Parthia. Other sons extended Parthian rule most of present-day Iran of Phraates IV,Vonone and Orodes, returned to Parthia and ruled even though his reign was followed by another monarchic struggle for a short period, one after the other, upon the death of their between Gotarzes II (40-51 CE) in the main part of the empire and stepmother and brother. Finally the Parthian noblemen, restoring Vardanes I (40-47 CE) inMedia. This struggle finally paved the way Parthian power inMedia and Mesopotamia, brought Artabanus II, forGotarzes II to become the sole king (Bivar 1993: 79). a son of a local Median king, to power. Media was the capital of Vonones II for a short period and also that In the beginning of the first century CE, Parthian territory was of his nephew Vologases I (51-78 CE) the son of Vardanes I.After divided into several somewhat independent local kingdoms, that, according to the numismatic evidence, a contemporary king including Indo-Parthia in Sakastan and Armenia, Parses, of the Trojans (aRoman king of Atropotanean [todayAzerbaijan] was , and Elymea. Parthian power primarily concentrated origin) succeeded Vardanes as the king of Parthia. Osroes II along

Parthian Horsemen Kings of Parthia The term "" has made it into the English lexicon Arsaces I 250-247 bce a as term denoting a parting, and ultimately devastating, blow?in Tiridates 247-211 bce modern times more to egos than to bodies. The Parthians were, Artabanus I 211-191 BCE known as skilled who were however, cavalrymen remarkably adept Phriapathus 191-176 bce at aiming their bows both backwards and forwards at enemies. Phraates I 176-171 bce Parthian horsemen retreat at Often would feign full gallop and Mithradates I 171-139 bce turn an arrow at then quite suddenly and fire the pursuing enemy. Phraates II 139-129 bce This tactic was most successfully used by the Parthian Interregnum 128 BCE to kill soldiers who were relieved to see foot often prematurely Artabanus II 128-124 bce their pursuers gallop away from the battle only to be felled by a Mithradates theGreat 124-88 bce arrow was II, quick to the heart. This strategy put to particularly Gotarzes I (rebel king) 95-90 bce good use in a battle that the Parthians fought in the year 53 BCE bce near Orodes I 90-80 the town of Carrhae (now present-day Harr an, ). Sinatruces 80-70 bce The , between the , under the Phraates III 70-57 bce legendary general Crassus, and the Parthian Empire resulted in Mithradates III bce an overwhelming victory for the Parthians. Crassus had arrived in 57-54 Syria in late 55 BCEand, with aid of Hellenic settlements in Syria Orodes II 54-38 bce and the support of theKing of Armenia, attacked the Parthian Pacorus I (co-ruler) 41-38 bce heartland. The Parthian King Orodes II, in response, sent his Phraates IV 38-29 bce cavalry units?only half of his army?against the Romans, who Tiradates I (rebel king) 29-27 bce vastly outnumbered them. This became arguably the worst defeat Phraataces 2 BCE-4 CE ever suffered by a Republican Army. Crassus son was slain in Orodes III 6 CE the battle and his head put on a pike for all to see. The Parthian Vonones I 8-12 ce horse archers shot repeated volleys into the dense formations Artabanus III 10-38 ce when the Romans to the of legionnaires and, attempted charge Tiridates II (rebel king) 35-36 ce horse the Parthians their custom archers, followed infamous of Vardanes I 40-47 ce to shoot backward arrows at the retreating, turning suddenly Gotarzes II 40-51 ce enemy and back to the stricken soldiers. abrubtly turning trample Sanabares (rebel king) 50-56 ce Vonones II 51 ce Vologases I 51-78 ce Vardanes II (rebel king) 55-58 ce Vologases II 78-80 ce Pacorus II 80-105 ce Artabanus III (rebel king) 80-90 ce Vologases III 105-147 ce Osroes I (co-ruler) 109-129 ce Parthamaspates (rebel king) 116ce Mithradates I 140ce Vologases IV 147-191 ce Osroes II (rebel king) 190ce Vologases V 191-208 ce Vologases VI 208-218 ce Artabanus V 216-224 ce

126 NEAR EASTERNARCHAEOLOGY 68:3 (2005) with Parthamaspates succeeded Osroes I.After the restoration of was divided. While northern Media played an important role in peace to the Parthian territories Vologases II,Vologases III and the Parthian political history from the early Christian era through an unknown king ascended the Parthian throne. Later, the long the time when northern Median kings themselves ascended the reign of Vologases IV (147-191 CE) once again brought peace and Parthian throne, southern Media, under Greco-Iranain influence, prosperity to the Parthian territory. It seems that during the wars does not appear to have played as significant a role in Parthian that broke out later between Vologases VI and Artabanus IV (216? history ((McDowell 1935: 219). 224 CE), the latter received the support of the Median population. Isidore, a first century CE geographer and writer from the city Note 1. Some of the coins discussed here were in an article of Charax (the ancient capital of Susiana), divided the Median published previously by two of the authors (Nadooshan, Moosavi, and Azizi 2005). Satrapy into upper and lowerMedia, but there is no information as to why he made such a division. The numismatic evidence shows, References that the Parthian coins were however, circulating south of Ecbatana Assar, G. E issued local while north of being by dynasties, Ecbatana?that is, 2004 Genealogy and Coinage of the Early Parthian Rulers. Pp. upper Media?only Parthian coins were in circulation. The coins 69-93 in Parthia and Beyond. Cultural Interconnections in the kept in the Tabriz Museum, which were circulated in northern Classical Period. Papers in Honour of Gennadij A. Koselenko. Parthica 6. Rome: Italia incontri di culture nel mondo antico. Media, were minted up to the period of Phraates III (70 BCE)on the Bivar, A. D. H. eastern side of Parthian territory, while the coins in the Lorestan 1993 The Political under the Arsacids. Pp. 21-99 in Museum were clearly minted inMedia itself at Ecbatana. Based The Cambridge History of Iran, Vol 3/1 :The Seleucid, Parthian on this limited information about the minting and circulation of and Sasanian Periods, edited by E. Yarshater. Cambridge: it that Parthian control over southern Media was less coins, appears Cambridge University. over complete than that northern Media during several important Caley. E. R. centuries of Parthian rule. 1955 Chemical Composition of Parthian Coins. Numismatic Notes and That the control over northern Media was strong from the Monographs 129. New York: American Numismatic Society. R. H. earliest days of the empire is supported by numismatic evidence McDowell., museums as are 1935 Coins from on the Tigris. Ann Arbor: University of from northern Iranian well. For example, there Michigan. thousands of coins of Eucratides I, King of Bactria, in Iranian Mitchiner, M. museums (Mitchiner 1975, 4: 334) but there are no coins from the 1975 Indo-Greek and Vol. 4. London: successors of Eucratides. In his death in we Indo-Scythian Coinage, fact, following 145 BCE, Hawkins Publications. find the coins of Mithradates I in northern Iran.After the time only Nadooshan, F. K.; Moosavi, S. S.; and Azizi, M. of Mithradates II (124-88 BCE) this situation changed somewhat, 2005 Parthian Coins in Lorestan Museum. Oriental Numismatic and it is apparent that the Parthian kings at least established a Society Newsletter 183: 5-7. strong economic presence in southern Media. A comparative study Seilwood, D. of Parthian coins in the Tabriz (from northern Media) and Lorestan 1980 An Introduction to the Coinage of Parthia. 2nd edition. London: &. (from southern Media) museums shows that the coins of Parthian Spink Son. kings found in northern Media until the time of Mithradates II are different from those found in the southern Media but that, after Mithradates II, the coins of northern and southern Media become more similar and, by the time of Vologases IV, some two hundred ABOUT THE AUTHORS and thirty-five years later, even the tetradrachms have become standardized. A considerable variety of Vologases IV's coins has Farhang Khademi Nadooshan isAssistant Professor at been reported in the Tabriz Museum, which suggests that the coins Tarbiat Modarres University, . Seyed Sadrudin at of Vologases IV were inwide circulation in the Median satrapy. Moosavi isAssistant Professor the Research Institute of The Parthian coins in the Tabriz and Lorestan museums show Islamic Revolution, Tehran, and Frouzandeh Jafarzadeh Poure isAssistant Institute Humanities and that the infiltration of the Parthian Empire in the satrapy of Media Professor, for Social Sciences Research (1HSSR), Tehran. took place in two different phases. Parthian economic influence surfaced first in northern Media, while southern Media retained some economic independence even as the political presence of the north was being felt. Possibly two political trends existed inMedia, one in favor of Parthian rule inUpper Media and the other more or less in favor of the local dynasties that existed in Lower Media and in the cities that were under the influence of Greco-Iranian culture. ancient Media is unknown Although relatively archaeologically, m-J the numismatic evidence helps to explain the early division of Farhang Khademi Seyed Sadrudin Frouzandeh Media Isidore of Charex in the first most by century. Throughout Nadooshan Moosavi Jafarzadeh Pour of the centuries of Parthian rule, in fact, it appears that Media

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