Mithridates
died during the captivity of Arsaces IX.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
ii.
15, iv.
20; Pseudo lust.
(Senec.
Epist.
114.
)
Ascon. in Cic. Div. p. 101, ed. Orelli), but died on his ARRU'NTIUS CELSUS. (Celsus. ]
way to Sicily. (Schol. Gronov. in Cic. Div. p. 383, ARRU'NTIUS STELLA. (STELLA. ]
ed. Orelli. ) Cicero (Brut. 69) says, that Arrius was ARSA'CES ('Apodkms), the name of the founder
of low birth, and without learning or talent, but of the Parthian empire, which was also borne by
rose to honour by his assiduity.
all his successors, who were hence called the Ar-
2. Q. ARRIUS, a son of the preceding, was an sacidae. Pott (Etymologische Forschungen, ii. p.
unsuccessful candidate for the consulship, B. c. 59. 172) supposes that it signifies the “ Shah or King
(Cic. ad Att. ii. 5, 7. ) He was an intimate friend of the Arii ;" but it occurs as a Persian name long
of Cicero (in Vatin. 12, pro Mil. 17); but Cicero before the time of the Parthian kings. Aeschylus
during his exile complains bitterly of the conduct (Pers. 957) speaks of an Arsaces, who perished in
of Arrius. (Ad Qu. fr. i. 3. )
the expedition of Xerxes against Greece ; and
3. C. Arrius, a neighbour of Cicero at Formiae, Ctesias (Pers. cc. 49, 53, 57, ed. Lion) says, that
who honoured Cicero with more of his company Arsaces was the original name of Artaxerxes
than was convenient to him, B. c. 59. (Cic. ad Aů. Mneinon.
ii. 14, 15. )
ARSACES I. , is variously represented by the
ARRU'NTIUS, a physician at Rome, who ancient writers as a Scythian, a Bactrian, or a
lived probably about the beginning or middle of Parthian. (Strab. xi. p. 515; Arrian, ap. Phot.
the first century after Christ, and is mentioned by Cod. 58, p. 17, ed. Bekker; Herodian, vi. 2;
Pliny (H. N. xxix. 5) as having gained by his Moses Chor. i. 7. ) Justin (xli. 4) says, that he
2 A
## p. 354 (#374) ############################################
354
ARSACES.
ARSACES.
we
SxoVISV
Textul
was of uncertain origin. He seems however to killed after a reign of two years and was sncceeded
have been of the Scythian race, and to have come by his brother. Arrian has evidently confounded
from the neighbourhood of the (chus, as Strabo Arsaccs I. and II. , when he says that the former
says (l. c. ), that he was accompanied in his under- was succeeded by his son. This statement we
taking by the Parni Daae, who had migrated from must refer to Arsaces II.
the great race of the Scythian Dane, dwelling ARSACES II. , TIRIDATES, reigned, as
above the Palus Maeotis, and who had bettled have already seen, 37 years, and is probably the
near the Ochus. But from whatever country the king who defeated Seleucus.
Parthians may have come, they are represented Arsaces III. , ARTABANUS I. , the son of
by almost all ancient writers as Scythians. (Curt. the preceding, had to resist Antiochus 111. (the
vi. 2; Justin, xli. 1; Plut. Crass. 24 ; Isidor. Great), who invaded his dominions about B. c.
Orig. ix. 2. ) Arsaces, who was a man of approved 212. Antiochus at first met with some success,
valour, and was accustomed to live by robbery and but was unable to subdue his country, and at
plunder, invaded Parthia with his band of robbers, length made peace with him, and recognized hin
defeated Andragoras, the governor of the country, as king. (Polyb. x. 27–31; Justin, xli. 5. )
and obtained the royal power. This is the account The reverse of the annexed coin represents a Par
given by Justin (1. c. ), which is in itself natural
and probable, but different from the common one
which is taken from Arrian. According to Arrian
ETARY
(ap. Phot. Cod. 58), there were two brothers, Ar-
saces and Tiridates, the descendants of Arsaces,
the son of Phriapitus. Pherecles, the satrap of
Parthia in the reign of Antiochus II. , attempted to
violate Tiridates, but was slain by him and his
brother Arsaces, who induced the Parthians in thian seated, and bears the inscription BAZIENS
consequence to revolt from the Syrians. The ac-
ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ. *
count of Arrian in Syncellus (p. 284) is again
different from the preceding one preserved by
ARSACES IV. , PRIAPATIUS, son of the pre-
Photius; but it is impossible to determine which ceding, reigned 15 years, and left three sons,
has given us the account of Arrian most faithfully. Phraates, Mithridates, and Artabanus. (Justin,
According to Syncellus, Arrian stated that the xli. 5, xlii. 2. )
two brothers Arsaces and Tiridates, who were
ARSACES V. , PHRAATES I. , subdued the Mardi,
descended from Artaxerxes, the king of the Per- and, though he had many sons, left the kingdom
sians, were satraps of Bactria at the same time as
to his brother Mithridates. (Justin. xli. 5. ) The
the Macedonian Agathocles governed Persia (by reverse of the annexed coin has the inscription
which he means Parthia) as Eparch. Agathocles
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ.
had an unnatural passion for Tiridates, and was
slain by the two brothers. Arsaces then became
king, reigned two years, and was succeeded by his
brother Tiridates, who reigned 37 years.
The time, at which the revolt of Arsaces took
place, is also uncertain. Appian (Syr. 65) places
it at the death of Antiochus II. , and others in the
reign his successor, Seleucus Callinicus. Ac-
cording to the statement of Arrian quoted above,
the revolt commenced in the reign of Antiochus II. , Eckhel, with more probability, assigns this coin to
which is in accordance with the date given by Eu-Arsaces VI. , who may have taken the title of
sebius, who fixes it at B. c. 250, and which is also
• king of kings," on account of his numerous vic-
supported by other authorities. (Clinton, F. H.
tories.
vol. iii. sub anno 250. ) Justin (xli. 4, 5), who ARSACES VI. , MITHRIDATES I. , son of Ar-
is followed in the main by Ammianus Marcellinus
saces IV. , whom Orosius (v. 4) rightly calls the
(xxiii. 6), ascribes to Arsaces I. many events, sixth from Arsaces I. , a man of distinguished
which probably belong to his successor. Accord- bravery, greatly extended the Parthian empire.
ing to his account Arsaces first conquered Hyrcania. He conquered Èucratides, the king of Bactria, and
and then prepared to make war upon the Bactrian deprived him of many of his provinces. He is said
and Syrian kings. He concluded, however, a
even to have penetrated into India and to have sub-
peace with Theodotus, king of Bactria, and defeat- dued all the people between the Hydaspes and the
ed Seleucus Callinicus, the successor of Antiochus Indus. He conquered the Medes and Elymaeans,
II. in a great battle, the anniversary of which was who had revolted from the Syrians, and his em-
ever after observed by the Parthians, as the com- pire extended at least from the Hindu Caucasus to
mencement of their liberty. According to Posi- the Euphrates. Demetrius Nicator, king of Syria,
donius (ap. Athen. iv. p. 153, a. ), Seleucus was marched against Mithridates; he was at first suc-
taken prisoner in a second expedition which he cessful, but was afterwards taken prisoner in B. C.
made against the Parthians, and detained in cap. 138. Mithridates, however, treated him with re-
tivity by Arsaces for many years. After these
events Arsaces devoted himself to the internal The number of coins, belonging to the Arsa-
organization of his kingdom, built a city, called cidae, is very large, but it is impossible to deter-
Dara, on the mountain Zapaortenon, and died in a mine with certainty to which individual each
mature old age. This account is directly opposed belongs. A few are given as specimens, and are
to the one given by Arrian, already referred to placed under the kings to which they are assigned
(ap. Syncell. I. c. ), according to which Arsaces was in the catalogue of the British Museum,
.
## p. 355 (#375) ############################################
ARSACES.
355
ARSACES.
HAFA. NeT
ΑΡΣΑΠΙΚΟΥ
MOETRNOY
CALIAENE
spect, and gave him his daughter Rhodogune in | has confounded this king with Mithridates III. ,
marriage; but the marriage appears not to have i. e. Arsaces XIII.
been solemnized till the accession of his son Phraa- ARSACES X. , MNASCIRES ? The successor of
tes II.
Mithridates died during the captivity of Arsaces IX. is not known. Vaillant conjectures
Demetrius, between B. C. 138 and 130. He is that it was the Mnascires mentioned by Lucian
described as a just and upright prince, who did (Macrob. 16), who lived to the age of ninety-six ;
not give way to pride and luxury. He introduced but this is quite uncertain.
among his people the best laws and usages, which ARSACES XI. , SANATROCES, as he is called
he found among the nations he had conquered. on coins. Phlegon calls him Sinatruces; Appian,
(Justin, xli. 6; Oros. v. 4; Strab. xi. pp. 516, Sintricus ; and Lucian, Sinatrocles. He had lived
517, 524, &c. : Appian, Syr. 67 ; Justin, xxxvi. as an exile among the Scythian people called
1, xxxviii. 9; Joseph. Ant. xiii. 9; 1 Maccab. c. Sacauraces, and was placed by them upon the
14; Diod. Exc. p. 597, ed. Wess. ) The reverse throne of Parthia, when he was already eighty
of the annexed coin has the inscription BAZIAENS years of age. He reigned seven years, and died
ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ.
while Lucullus was engaged in the war against
Tigranes, about B. c. 70. (Lucian, Macrod. 15;
Phlegon, ap. Phot. Cod. 97, p. 84, ed. Bekker ;
Appian, Mithr. 104. ),
ARSACES XII. , PHRAATES III. , surnamed
cós (Phlegon, l. c. ), the son of the preceding.
Mithridates of Pontus and Tigranes applied to
Phraates for assistance in their war against the
Romans, although Phraates was at enmity with
Tigranes, because he had deprived the Parthian
empire of Nisibis and part of Mesopotamia. Among
the fragments of Sallust (Hist. lib. iv. ) we have a
ARSACES VII. , PHRAATES II. , the son of letter purporting to be written by Mithridates to
the preceding, was attacked by Antiochus VII. Phraates on this occasion. Lucullus, as soon as he
(Sidetes), who defeated Phraates in three great bat- heard of this embassy, also sent one to Phraates,
tles, but was at length conquered by him, and lost who dismissed both with fair promises, but accord-
his life in battle, B. C. 128. (See p. 199, a. ] Phraa- ing to Dion Cassius, concluded an alliance with the
tes soon met with the same fate. The Scythians, Romans. He did not however send any assistance
who had been invited by Antiochus to assist him to the Romans, and eventually remained neutral.
against Phraates, did not arrive till after the fall of (Memnon, ap. Phot. Cod. 224, p. 239, ed. Bekker ;
the former ; but in the battle which followed, the Dion Cass. xxxv. 1, 3, comp. 6; Appian, Mithr. 87;
Greeks whom Phraates had taken in the war Plut. Lucull. 30. ) When Pompey succeeded Lu-
against Antiochus, and whom he now kept in his cullus in the command, B. c. 66, he renewed the
service, deserted from him, and revenged the ill. alliance with Phraates, to whose court meantime
treatment they had suffered, by the death of Phraa- the youngest son of Tigranes, also called Tigranes,
tes and the destruction of his army. (Justin, had fled after the murder of his two brothers by
Xxxviii. 10, xlii. 1. ) The reverse of the annexed their father. Phraates gave the young Tigranes his
coin has the inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ | daughter in marriage, and was induced by his sOn-
ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ. in-law to invade Armenia. He advanced as far as
Artaxata, and then returned to Parthia, leaving
his son-in-law to besiege the city. As soon as he
BAZIADRUS had left Armenia, Tigranes attacked his son and
defeated him in battle. The young Tigranes then
fled to his grandfather Mithridates, and afterwards
to Pompey, when he found the former was unable
to assist him. The young Tigranes conducted
Pompey against his father, who surrendered on his
approach. Pompey then attempted to reconcile
ARSACES VIII. , ARTABANUS II. , the youngest the father and the son, and promised the latter the
brother of Arsaces VI. , and the youngest son sovereignty of Sophanene; but as he shortly after
of Arsaces IV. , and consequently the uncle of offended Pompey, he was thrown into chains, and
the preceding, fell in battle against the Thogarii or reserved for his triumph. When Phraates heard
Tocbari, apparently after a short reign. (Justin, of this, he sent to the Roman general to demand
xlii. 2. )
the young man as his son-in-law, and to propose
ARSACES IX. , MITHRIDATES II. , the son of that the Euphrates should be the boundary between
the preceding, prosecuted many wars with success, the Roman and Parthian dominions. But Pompey
and added inany nations to the Parthian empire, merely replied, that Tigranes was nearer to his
whence he obtained the surname of Great. " He father than his father-in-law, and that he would
defeated the Scythians in several battles, and also determine the boundary in accordance with what
carried on war against Artavasdes, king of Armenia. was just. (Dion Cass. xxxvi. 28, 34–36; Plut.
It was in his reign that the Romans first had any Pomp. 33; Appian, Syr. 104, 105. ) Matters now
official communication with Parthia. Mithridates began to assume a threatening aspect between
sent an ambassador, Orobazus, to Sulla, who had Phraates and Pompey, who had deeply injured the
come into Asia B. c. 92, in order to restore Ariobar- former by refusing to give him his usual title of
zanes I. to Cappadocia, and requested alliance with “ king of kings. ” But although Phraates marched
the Romans, which seems to have been granted. into Armenia, and sent ambassadors to Pompey to
(Justin, xlii. 2; Plut. Sulla, 5. ) Justin (xlii. 4) | bring many charges against him, and Tigranes, the
AO NIKAT:P
ZOEATBY
ΑΣΥΛΑΛΟ
2 A 2
## p. 356 (#376) ############################################
356
ARSACES.
ARSACES.
Armenian king, implored Pompey's assistance, the Caesar's general, T. Labienus, to Orodes to solicit
Roman general judged it more prudent not to enter his assistance. This was promised ; but the battle
into war with the Parthians, alleging as reasons of Philippi was fought, and Brutus and Cassius
for declining to do so, that the Roman penple had fell (B. C. 42), before Labienus could join them.
not assigned him this duty, and that Mithridates The latter now remained in Parthia. Meantime
was still in arms. (Dion Cass. xxxvii. 6, 7; Plut. Antony had obtained the East in the partition of
Pomp. 38, 39. ) Phraates was murdered soon the Roman world, and consequently the conduct
afterwards' by his two sons, Mithridates and of the Parthian war; but instead of making any
Orodes. (Dion Cass. xxxix. 56. )
preparations against the Parthians, he retired to
ARSACES XIII. , MITHRIDATES JII. , the son Egypt with Cleopatra. Labienus advised the
of the preceding, succeeded his father apparent Parthian monarch to seize the opportunity to in-
ly during the Armenian war. On his return vade Syria, and Orodes accordingly placed a great
from Armenia, Mithridates was expelled from the army under the command of Labienus and Pacorus.
throne, on account of his cruelty, by the Parthian They crossed the Euphrates in B. C. 40, overran
senate, as it is called, and was succeeded by his Syria, and defeated Saxa, Antony's quaestor.
brother Orodes. Orodes appears to have given Labienus penetrated into Cilicia where he took
Media to Mithridates, but to have taken it from Saxa prisoner and put him to death; and while he
him again ; whereupon Mitbridates applied to the was engaged with a portion of the army in sub-
Roman general, Gabinius, in Syria, B. c. 55, who duing Asia Minor, Pacorus was prosecuting con-
promised to restore him to Parthia, but soon after quests with the other part in Syria, Phoenicia, and
relinquished his design in consequence of having Palestine. These successes at length roused An-
received a great sum from Ptolemy to place him tony from his inactivity. He sent against the
upon the throne of Egypt. Mithridates, however, Parthians Ventidius, the ablest of his legates, who
seems to have raised some troops; for he subse- soon changed the face of affairs. He defeated
quently obtained possession of Babylon, where, Labienus at Mount Taurus in B. C. 39, and put
after sustaining a long siege, he surrendered him- him to death when he fell into his hands shortly
self to his brother, and was immediately put to after the battle. By this victory he recovered
death by his orders. (Justin, xlii. 4 ; Dion Case. Cilicia ; and by the defeat shortly afterwards of
xxxix. 56 ; Appian, Syr. 51; Joseph. B. J. i. 8. $ 7. ) Pharnapates, one of the Parthian generals, he also
Arsaces XIV. , ORODES I. , the brother of the regained Syria. (Dion Cass. xlviii
. 24–41; Vell.
preceding, was the Parthian king, whose general Pat. ii. 78; Liv. Epit. 127; Flor. iv. 9; Plut.
Surenas defeated Crassus and the Romans, in B. c. Anton. c. 33 ; Appian, B. C. v. 65. ) In the fol-
53. [Crassus. ] The death of Crassus and the lowing year, B. c. 38, Pacorus again invaded Syria
destruction of the Roman army spread universal with a still larger army, but was completely de-
alarm through the eastern provir. ces of the Roman feated in the district called Cyrrhestice. Pacorus
empire. Orodes, becoming jealous of Surenas, put himself fell in the battle, which was fought on the
him to death, and gave the command of the army 9th of June, the very day on which Crassus had
to his son Pacorus, who was then still a youth. fallen, fifteen years before. (Dion Cass.
Ascon. in Cic. Div. p. 101, ed. Orelli), but died on his ARRU'NTIUS CELSUS. (Celsus. ]
way to Sicily. (Schol. Gronov. in Cic. Div. p. 383, ARRU'NTIUS STELLA. (STELLA. ]
ed. Orelli. ) Cicero (Brut. 69) says, that Arrius was ARSA'CES ('Apodkms), the name of the founder
of low birth, and without learning or talent, but of the Parthian empire, which was also borne by
rose to honour by his assiduity.
all his successors, who were hence called the Ar-
2. Q. ARRIUS, a son of the preceding, was an sacidae. Pott (Etymologische Forschungen, ii. p.
unsuccessful candidate for the consulship, B. c. 59. 172) supposes that it signifies the “ Shah or King
(Cic. ad Att. ii. 5, 7. ) He was an intimate friend of the Arii ;" but it occurs as a Persian name long
of Cicero (in Vatin. 12, pro Mil. 17); but Cicero before the time of the Parthian kings. Aeschylus
during his exile complains bitterly of the conduct (Pers. 957) speaks of an Arsaces, who perished in
of Arrius. (Ad Qu. fr. i. 3. )
the expedition of Xerxes against Greece ; and
3. C. Arrius, a neighbour of Cicero at Formiae, Ctesias (Pers. cc. 49, 53, 57, ed. Lion) says, that
who honoured Cicero with more of his company Arsaces was the original name of Artaxerxes
than was convenient to him, B. c. 59. (Cic. ad Aů. Mneinon.
ii. 14, 15. )
ARSACES I. , is variously represented by the
ARRU'NTIUS, a physician at Rome, who ancient writers as a Scythian, a Bactrian, or a
lived probably about the beginning or middle of Parthian. (Strab. xi. p. 515; Arrian, ap. Phot.
the first century after Christ, and is mentioned by Cod. 58, p. 17, ed. Bekker; Herodian, vi. 2;
Pliny (H. N. xxix. 5) as having gained by his Moses Chor. i. 7. ) Justin (xli. 4) says, that he
2 A
## p. 354 (#374) ############################################
354
ARSACES.
ARSACES.
we
SxoVISV
Textul
was of uncertain origin. He seems however to killed after a reign of two years and was sncceeded
have been of the Scythian race, and to have come by his brother. Arrian has evidently confounded
from the neighbourhood of the (chus, as Strabo Arsaccs I. and II. , when he says that the former
says (l. c. ), that he was accompanied in his under- was succeeded by his son. This statement we
taking by the Parni Daae, who had migrated from must refer to Arsaces II.
the great race of the Scythian Dane, dwelling ARSACES II. , TIRIDATES, reigned, as
above the Palus Maeotis, and who had bettled have already seen, 37 years, and is probably the
near the Ochus. But from whatever country the king who defeated Seleucus.
Parthians may have come, they are represented Arsaces III. , ARTABANUS I. , the son of
by almost all ancient writers as Scythians. (Curt. the preceding, had to resist Antiochus 111. (the
vi. 2; Justin, xli. 1; Plut. Crass. 24 ; Isidor. Great), who invaded his dominions about B. c.
Orig. ix. 2. ) Arsaces, who was a man of approved 212. Antiochus at first met with some success,
valour, and was accustomed to live by robbery and but was unable to subdue his country, and at
plunder, invaded Parthia with his band of robbers, length made peace with him, and recognized hin
defeated Andragoras, the governor of the country, as king. (Polyb. x. 27–31; Justin, xli. 5. )
and obtained the royal power. This is the account The reverse of the annexed coin represents a Par
given by Justin (1. c. ), which is in itself natural
and probable, but different from the common one
which is taken from Arrian. According to Arrian
ETARY
(ap. Phot. Cod. 58), there were two brothers, Ar-
saces and Tiridates, the descendants of Arsaces,
the son of Phriapitus. Pherecles, the satrap of
Parthia in the reign of Antiochus II. , attempted to
violate Tiridates, but was slain by him and his
brother Arsaces, who induced the Parthians in thian seated, and bears the inscription BAZIENS
consequence to revolt from the Syrians. The ac-
ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ. *
count of Arrian in Syncellus (p. 284) is again
different from the preceding one preserved by
ARSACES IV. , PRIAPATIUS, son of the pre-
Photius; but it is impossible to determine which ceding, reigned 15 years, and left three sons,
has given us the account of Arrian most faithfully. Phraates, Mithridates, and Artabanus. (Justin,
According to Syncellus, Arrian stated that the xli. 5, xlii. 2. )
two brothers Arsaces and Tiridates, who were
ARSACES V. , PHRAATES I. , subdued the Mardi,
descended from Artaxerxes, the king of the Per- and, though he had many sons, left the kingdom
sians, were satraps of Bactria at the same time as
to his brother Mithridates. (Justin. xli. 5. ) The
the Macedonian Agathocles governed Persia (by reverse of the annexed coin has the inscription
which he means Parthia) as Eparch. Agathocles
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ
ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ.
had an unnatural passion for Tiridates, and was
slain by the two brothers. Arsaces then became
king, reigned two years, and was succeeded by his
brother Tiridates, who reigned 37 years.
The time, at which the revolt of Arsaces took
place, is also uncertain. Appian (Syr. 65) places
it at the death of Antiochus II. , and others in the
reign his successor, Seleucus Callinicus. Ac-
cording to the statement of Arrian quoted above,
the revolt commenced in the reign of Antiochus II. , Eckhel, with more probability, assigns this coin to
which is in accordance with the date given by Eu-Arsaces VI. , who may have taken the title of
sebius, who fixes it at B. c. 250, and which is also
• king of kings," on account of his numerous vic-
supported by other authorities. (Clinton, F. H.
tories.
vol. iii. sub anno 250. ) Justin (xli. 4, 5), who ARSACES VI. , MITHRIDATES I. , son of Ar-
is followed in the main by Ammianus Marcellinus
saces IV. , whom Orosius (v. 4) rightly calls the
(xxiii. 6), ascribes to Arsaces I. many events, sixth from Arsaces I. , a man of distinguished
which probably belong to his successor. Accord- bravery, greatly extended the Parthian empire.
ing to his account Arsaces first conquered Hyrcania. He conquered Èucratides, the king of Bactria, and
and then prepared to make war upon the Bactrian deprived him of many of his provinces. He is said
and Syrian kings. He concluded, however, a
even to have penetrated into India and to have sub-
peace with Theodotus, king of Bactria, and defeat- dued all the people between the Hydaspes and the
ed Seleucus Callinicus, the successor of Antiochus Indus. He conquered the Medes and Elymaeans,
II. in a great battle, the anniversary of which was who had revolted from the Syrians, and his em-
ever after observed by the Parthians, as the com- pire extended at least from the Hindu Caucasus to
mencement of their liberty. According to Posi- the Euphrates. Demetrius Nicator, king of Syria,
donius (ap. Athen. iv. p. 153, a. ), Seleucus was marched against Mithridates; he was at first suc-
taken prisoner in a second expedition which he cessful, but was afterwards taken prisoner in B. C.
made against the Parthians, and detained in cap. 138. Mithridates, however, treated him with re-
tivity by Arsaces for many years. After these
events Arsaces devoted himself to the internal The number of coins, belonging to the Arsa-
organization of his kingdom, built a city, called cidae, is very large, but it is impossible to deter-
Dara, on the mountain Zapaortenon, and died in a mine with certainty to which individual each
mature old age. This account is directly opposed belongs. A few are given as specimens, and are
to the one given by Arrian, already referred to placed under the kings to which they are assigned
(ap. Syncell. I. c. ), according to which Arsaces was in the catalogue of the British Museum,
.
## p. 355 (#375) ############################################
ARSACES.
355
ARSACES.
HAFA. NeT
ΑΡΣΑΠΙΚΟΥ
MOETRNOY
CALIAENE
spect, and gave him his daughter Rhodogune in | has confounded this king with Mithridates III. ,
marriage; but the marriage appears not to have i. e. Arsaces XIII.
been solemnized till the accession of his son Phraa- ARSACES X. , MNASCIRES ? The successor of
tes II.
Mithridates died during the captivity of Arsaces IX. is not known. Vaillant conjectures
Demetrius, between B. C. 138 and 130. He is that it was the Mnascires mentioned by Lucian
described as a just and upright prince, who did (Macrob. 16), who lived to the age of ninety-six ;
not give way to pride and luxury. He introduced but this is quite uncertain.
among his people the best laws and usages, which ARSACES XI. , SANATROCES, as he is called
he found among the nations he had conquered. on coins. Phlegon calls him Sinatruces; Appian,
(Justin, xli. 6; Oros. v. 4; Strab. xi. pp. 516, Sintricus ; and Lucian, Sinatrocles. He had lived
517, 524, &c. : Appian, Syr. 67 ; Justin, xxxvi. as an exile among the Scythian people called
1, xxxviii. 9; Joseph. Ant. xiii. 9; 1 Maccab. c. Sacauraces, and was placed by them upon the
14; Diod. Exc. p. 597, ed. Wess. ) The reverse throne of Parthia, when he was already eighty
of the annexed coin has the inscription BAZIAENS years of age. He reigned seven years, and died
ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ.
while Lucullus was engaged in the war against
Tigranes, about B. c. 70. (Lucian, Macrod. 15;
Phlegon, ap. Phot. Cod. 97, p. 84, ed. Bekker ;
Appian, Mithr. 104. ),
ARSACES XII. , PHRAATES III. , surnamed
cós (Phlegon, l. c. ), the son of the preceding.
Mithridates of Pontus and Tigranes applied to
Phraates for assistance in their war against the
Romans, although Phraates was at enmity with
Tigranes, because he had deprived the Parthian
empire of Nisibis and part of Mesopotamia. Among
the fragments of Sallust (Hist. lib. iv. ) we have a
ARSACES VII. , PHRAATES II. , the son of letter purporting to be written by Mithridates to
the preceding, was attacked by Antiochus VII. Phraates on this occasion. Lucullus, as soon as he
(Sidetes), who defeated Phraates in three great bat- heard of this embassy, also sent one to Phraates,
tles, but was at length conquered by him, and lost who dismissed both with fair promises, but accord-
his life in battle, B. C. 128. (See p. 199, a. ] Phraa- ing to Dion Cassius, concluded an alliance with the
tes soon met with the same fate. The Scythians, Romans. He did not however send any assistance
who had been invited by Antiochus to assist him to the Romans, and eventually remained neutral.
against Phraates, did not arrive till after the fall of (Memnon, ap. Phot. Cod. 224, p. 239, ed. Bekker ;
the former ; but in the battle which followed, the Dion Cass. xxxv. 1, 3, comp. 6; Appian, Mithr. 87;
Greeks whom Phraates had taken in the war Plut. Lucull. 30. ) When Pompey succeeded Lu-
against Antiochus, and whom he now kept in his cullus in the command, B. c. 66, he renewed the
service, deserted from him, and revenged the ill. alliance with Phraates, to whose court meantime
treatment they had suffered, by the death of Phraa- the youngest son of Tigranes, also called Tigranes,
tes and the destruction of his army. (Justin, had fled after the murder of his two brothers by
Xxxviii. 10, xlii. 1. ) The reverse of the annexed their father. Phraates gave the young Tigranes his
coin has the inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ | daughter in marriage, and was induced by his sOn-
ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ. in-law to invade Armenia. He advanced as far as
Artaxata, and then returned to Parthia, leaving
his son-in-law to besiege the city. As soon as he
BAZIADRUS had left Armenia, Tigranes attacked his son and
defeated him in battle. The young Tigranes then
fled to his grandfather Mithridates, and afterwards
to Pompey, when he found the former was unable
to assist him. The young Tigranes conducted
Pompey against his father, who surrendered on his
approach. Pompey then attempted to reconcile
ARSACES VIII. , ARTABANUS II. , the youngest the father and the son, and promised the latter the
brother of Arsaces VI. , and the youngest son sovereignty of Sophanene; but as he shortly after
of Arsaces IV. , and consequently the uncle of offended Pompey, he was thrown into chains, and
the preceding, fell in battle against the Thogarii or reserved for his triumph. When Phraates heard
Tocbari, apparently after a short reign. (Justin, of this, he sent to the Roman general to demand
xlii. 2. )
the young man as his son-in-law, and to propose
ARSACES IX. , MITHRIDATES II. , the son of that the Euphrates should be the boundary between
the preceding, prosecuted many wars with success, the Roman and Parthian dominions. But Pompey
and added inany nations to the Parthian empire, merely replied, that Tigranes was nearer to his
whence he obtained the surname of Great. " He father than his father-in-law, and that he would
defeated the Scythians in several battles, and also determine the boundary in accordance with what
carried on war against Artavasdes, king of Armenia. was just. (Dion Cass. xxxvi. 28, 34–36; Plut.
It was in his reign that the Romans first had any Pomp. 33; Appian, Syr. 104, 105. ) Matters now
official communication with Parthia. Mithridates began to assume a threatening aspect between
sent an ambassador, Orobazus, to Sulla, who had Phraates and Pompey, who had deeply injured the
come into Asia B. c. 92, in order to restore Ariobar- former by refusing to give him his usual title of
zanes I. to Cappadocia, and requested alliance with “ king of kings. ” But although Phraates marched
the Romans, which seems to have been granted. into Armenia, and sent ambassadors to Pompey to
(Justin, xlii. 2; Plut. Sulla, 5. ) Justin (xlii. 4) | bring many charges against him, and Tigranes, the
AO NIKAT:P
ZOEATBY
ΑΣΥΛΑΛΟ
2 A 2
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356
ARSACES.
ARSACES.
Armenian king, implored Pompey's assistance, the Caesar's general, T. Labienus, to Orodes to solicit
Roman general judged it more prudent not to enter his assistance. This was promised ; but the battle
into war with the Parthians, alleging as reasons of Philippi was fought, and Brutus and Cassius
for declining to do so, that the Roman penple had fell (B. C. 42), before Labienus could join them.
not assigned him this duty, and that Mithridates The latter now remained in Parthia. Meantime
was still in arms. (Dion Cass. xxxvii. 6, 7; Plut. Antony had obtained the East in the partition of
Pomp. 38, 39. ) Phraates was murdered soon the Roman world, and consequently the conduct
afterwards' by his two sons, Mithridates and of the Parthian war; but instead of making any
Orodes. (Dion Cass. xxxix. 56. )
preparations against the Parthians, he retired to
ARSACES XIII. , MITHRIDATES JII. , the son Egypt with Cleopatra. Labienus advised the
of the preceding, succeeded his father apparent Parthian monarch to seize the opportunity to in-
ly during the Armenian war. On his return vade Syria, and Orodes accordingly placed a great
from Armenia, Mithridates was expelled from the army under the command of Labienus and Pacorus.
throne, on account of his cruelty, by the Parthian They crossed the Euphrates in B. C. 40, overran
senate, as it is called, and was succeeded by his Syria, and defeated Saxa, Antony's quaestor.
brother Orodes. Orodes appears to have given Labienus penetrated into Cilicia where he took
Media to Mithridates, but to have taken it from Saxa prisoner and put him to death; and while he
him again ; whereupon Mitbridates applied to the was engaged with a portion of the army in sub-
Roman general, Gabinius, in Syria, B. c. 55, who duing Asia Minor, Pacorus was prosecuting con-
promised to restore him to Parthia, but soon after quests with the other part in Syria, Phoenicia, and
relinquished his design in consequence of having Palestine. These successes at length roused An-
received a great sum from Ptolemy to place him tony from his inactivity. He sent against the
upon the throne of Egypt. Mithridates, however, Parthians Ventidius, the ablest of his legates, who
seems to have raised some troops; for he subse- soon changed the face of affairs. He defeated
quently obtained possession of Babylon, where, Labienus at Mount Taurus in B. C. 39, and put
after sustaining a long siege, he surrendered him- him to death when he fell into his hands shortly
self to his brother, and was immediately put to after the battle. By this victory he recovered
death by his orders. (Justin, xlii. 4 ; Dion Case. Cilicia ; and by the defeat shortly afterwards of
xxxix. 56 ; Appian, Syr. 51; Joseph. B. J. i. 8. $ 7. ) Pharnapates, one of the Parthian generals, he also
Arsaces XIV. , ORODES I. , the brother of the regained Syria. (Dion Cass. xlviii
. 24–41; Vell.
preceding, was the Parthian king, whose general Pat. ii. 78; Liv. Epit. 127; Flor. iv. 9; Plut.
Surenas defeated Crassus and the Romans, in B. c. Anton. c. 33 ; Appian, B. C. v. 65. ) In the fol-
53. [Crassus. ] The death of Crassus and the lowing year, B. c. 38, Pacorus again invaded Syria
destruction of the Roman army spread universal with a still larger army, but was completely de-
alarm through the eastern provir. ces of the Roman feated in the district called Cyrrhestice. Pacorus
empire. Orodes, becoming jealous of Surenas, put himself fell in the battle, which was fought on the
him to death, and gave the command of the army 9th of June, the very day on which Crassus had
to his son Pacorus, who was then still a youth. fallen, fifteen years before. (Dion Cass.
