Mithridates III of Parthia

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Coin of Mithridates III from the mint at Nisa. The reverse shows a seated archer holding a bow. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΩΡ[ΟΣ] ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ (king of kings, great Arsaces, good father god, and friend of the Greeks).

King Mithridates III of Parthia ruled the Parthian Empire c. 57–54 BC. With the assistance of his brother Orodes he murdered his father Phraates III. He was made king of Media and waged war against his brother, but was soon deposed on account of his cruelty. He took refuge with Aulus Gabinius, the Roman proconsul of Syria. He advanced into Mesopotamia, but was beaten at Seleucia on the Tigris by Orodes' general Surena, fled into Babylon, and after a long siege was taken prisoner and killed in 54 BC by Orodes.

[edit] References

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