Phraates I

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Phraates I
𐭐𐭓𐭇𐭕
Arsaces
Coin of a Parthian ruler, possibly Phraates I. Minted at Hecatompylos between 185–132 BC
King of the Arsacid dynasty
Reign170/168–165/64 BC
PredecessorPriapatius or Arsaces IV
SuccessorMithridates I
Died165/64 BC
DynastyArsacid dynasty
FatherPriapatius
ReligionZoroastrianism

Phraates I (

Alborz mountains, and reclaimed Hyrcania from the Seleucid Empire. He died in 165/64 BC, and was succeeded by his brother Mithridates I
(r. 165 – 132 BC), whom he had appointed his heir.

Name

Phraátēs (Φραάτης) is the

Modern Persian version is Farhād (فرهاد).[2]

Background

Phraates was the eldest son of the

epigraphic evidence from Nisa suggests that Priapatius following his death in 170 BC may have been succeeded by an obscure figure named Arsaces IV, who briefly ruled for two years.[4][5] However, this is rejected by the historian Marek Jan Olbrycht, who calls it "sheer speculation".[6] Since the defeat of Arsaces II against the Greek Seleucid Empire in 208, the Parthians had been their subordinate ally.[7] However, with the decline of the Seleucids in the 180s BC, the Parthians were able to reassert much of their former autonomy.[8]

Reign

At the start of 165 BC, Phraates attacked the powerful

Tapurians in Parthia deported to the Caspian coast, which gave rise to the name of the historical region Tabaristan.[13][14] Phraates' conquests paved the way for his successors to further expand the Parthian realm.[11]

Phraates' western expansion was a transgression of the traditional

Antiochus IV (r. 175 – 164 BC) left Judea to prepare to mount a retaliation campaign against the Parthians, but died near Gabae at the end of 164 BC, probably due to disease. His successor, the nine-year-old Antiochus V Eupator (r. 164 – 161 BC) was unable to focus on the Parthians, as his reign was marked by conflict, political intrigue, and Roman influence.[15]

Phraates notably appointed his brother Mithridates as his successor. It was common amongst Central Asian nomads for a ruler to be succeeded by his brother instead of his son. This practice may have survived amongst the Arsacids, owing to their nomadic origins.[9] A passage by the 2nd-century Roman historian Justin suggests that Priapatius had chosen Mithridates as the successor of Phraates. Olbrycht supports this theory, stating that Phraates was by himself not in a position to choose his brother over his sons, due to his short reign.[12] Justin reports that the interests of the country was of higher importance to Phraates I than that of his sons, which indicates that he supported the decision made by his father regarding the succession.[9] Phraates I died in 165 or 164 BC, and was succeeded by Mithridates I.[16][17][5]

Coinage

The coins minted under Phraates were identical to that of his predecessors. The obverse depicts the Arsacid monarch, who is beardless, and wearing a soft cap, known as the kyrbasia, which had also been worn by Achaemenid satraps.[18][19] On the reverse, there is a seated archer, dressed in an Iranian riding costume.[20][21]

References

  1. ^ Schmitt 2005.
  2. ^ Kia 2016, p. 160.
  3. ^ Olbrycht 2021, p. 223.
  4. ^ a b Overtoom 2020, p. 153.
  5. ^ a b Ellerbrock 2021, p. 28.
  6. ^ Olbrycht 2021, p. 223 (see note 87).
  7. ^ Overtoom 2020, p. 129.
  8. ^ Overtoom 2020, pp. 146, 152.
  9. ^ a b c d Olbrycht 2021, p. 224.
  10. ^ a b Overtoom 2020, p. 160.
  11. ^ a b Olbrycht 2021, p. 225.
  12. ^ a b Olbrycht 2021, pp. 224–225.
  13. ^ a b Brunner 1983, p. 766.
  14. ^ Minorsky, Bosworth & Vasmer 1991, p. 935.
  15. ^ Overtoom 2020, pp. 159–160.
  16. ^ Overtoom 2020, p. 154.
  17. ^ Olbrycht 2021, p. 233.
  18. ^ Rezakhani 2013, pp. 767, 769.
  19. ^ Strootman 2017, pp. 187–188 (see also note 50).
  20. ^ Sinisi 2012, p. 280.
  21. ^ Curtis 2012, p. 68.

Sources

Phraates I
Arsacid dynasty
 Died: 165/64 BC
Preceded by
Priapatius or Arsaces IV
King of Parthia

170/168–165/64 BC 		Succeeded by
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