Phraates II of Parthia

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Coin of Phraates II from the mint at Seleucia on the Tigris. The reverse shows a seated god (perhaps Sarapis) holding Nike and a cornucopia. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ ([coin] of the Great King Arsaces, bearer of victory).

Phraates II of Parthia, son of Phraates I of Parthia (171–138 BC), the conqueror of Babylon, ruled the Parthian Empire from 138 BC to 128 BC. He was attacked in 130 BC by Antiochus VII Sidetes (138–129 BC), ruler of the Seleucid Empire. Antiochus VII, however, after great initial success, was defeated and killed in a great battle in Media in 129 BC, which ended the Seleucid rule east of the Euphrates. Meanwhile Parthia was invaded by the Scythians (the Tochari of Bactria), who had helped Antiochus VII. Phraates II marched against them, and was defeated and killed in a great battle inside and around Media.

Phraates II was well known for his trebuchets, and was called "The Trebuchet King". His trebuchets were bigger than normal, and this allowed him to destroy bigger forts than before.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
• Junianus Justinus, Historiarum Philippicarum, xli