Phraates I of Parthia, ruler of the Parthian Empire from 176-171 BCE, succeed his father Phriapatius (191-176 BCE) on the throne. Died relatively young, and appointed as his successor not one of his sons, but his brother Mithridates I (171-138 BCE).
He subdued the Amardians (lat. Amardis), mountaineers occupying eastern portion of the Elburz range, south of the Caspian Sea.
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In 171 BC, Phraates gathered troops and created a campaign. The campaign was planned many years ahead, when Phraates and his advisors found it important to invade the kingdoms and countries nearby. The motto of the campaign was Jegde dorte revyn sqetscius, which was a battle-cry, especially used in the areas around Media.
At the beginning of his campaign he subjugated Amardi, a mountainous tribe in Elburz, and Starangians, a nomadic people living South-East of Parthia.
Afterwards, he left North with the rest of the campaign, that consisted of 1000 men, women and horses/donkeys. His campaign had problems with logistics, and was caught up during the autumn in 171 BC, just prior to what they had planned. Because of this, Phraates gained time to build war machines that he or others could use. He then chose to get rid of these because of the logistics problems.
Hence Phraates planned to subjugate parts of Media, and especially the foundation wall of the Haron fortress, which was built on peak nearby. Before Phraates got there, the Scythians had allied with the rest of the Mardi, and surprised Phraates with an ambush around the walls of Media. Phraates got an arrow in his stomach, and died young, but just before his death, he didn’t appoint one of his sons, but his brother, a wise general, Mithridates I. Mithridates managed to escape from the ambush, and presumably made it back to Media in safety.
At beginning of his reign Phraates I directed his arms towards territory inhabited by Amardians, a poor but warlike people, who appear to have occupied eastern portion of the Elburz range, south of the Caspian Sea, what is probably today immediately south of Māzandarān and Astarabad. The reduction of these fierce mountaineers is likely to have occupied him for some years, since their country was exceedingly strong and difficult.[1]
At that time Amardi were de facto nominally subjects of the Seleucidae, we don't see any mention of assistance being rendered to them, nor even any complaint were being sent by Seleucus IV against unprovoked aggression of the Parthian monarch.[1]
Account for inactivity of Seleucus IV Philopator in Syria, who was characterized as weak and pacific, might be consisted in part by war exhaustion of Syria in this period which was consequence of his father's, Antiochus III, great war against Rome (192-188 BCE) and heavy contribution which was imposed upon Seleucids at Treaty of Apamea. Syria might scarcely recovered sufficient military strength to enter upon a new struggle, especially with remote and powerful enemy.
Seleucus IV also may seemed that material interests of Seleucid Empire have been minorly affected by Parthian aggression, since Amardi were too poor to provide much tribute, so Syria considered their subjection rather a formality than a fact. Therefore he allowed reduction of Amardians, probably conceiving that their transfer under Arsacid dominance would neither increase Parthian power nor diminished his own.[1]
As Phraates faced no resistance from Seleucids, when he robbed them of unproductive and valueless province and conquered the Amardians, expansionistic appetite in his eyes grew up and he resolved to append adjacent territory to his kingdom. This was the tract lying immediately to the West of the Caspian Gates, which was traditionally reckoned to Media (Assyria), forming distinct district known as Media Rhagiana. It was natural very fertile region, being watered by numerous mountain streams originating in Elburz range, and possessing a soil of remarkable productiveness.[1]
Its breadth was not great, since it consisted of a mere strip between the mountains and Great Salt Desert which occupies the whole centre of the Iranian plateau, but it extended in length at least a hundred and fifty miles, from the Caspian Gates to the vicinity of Qazwin. Since remote antiquity its capital city was Rhages, situated near the eastern extremity of the strip, probably at the spot now called Kaleh Erij, about twenty-three miles from the Gates. It's clear enough that Phraates cast his covetous eye on this region. Seize of his conquest is doubtful, but with least certainty he established lodgment in its eastern extremity, which put whole region in jeopardy.[1]
Nature has set a remarkable barrier between the more eastern and the more western portions of Occidental Asia, about midway in the tract which lies straightly south of the Caspian Sea. The Elburz range in this part is one of so tremendous a character, and northward adjoins so closely on Caspian Sea, forcing all communication between east and west inevitably to pass south of it. And south of Elbruz, Great Desert imposing itself as insuperable obstacle to transit, the line of communication has to cling to the flanks of the mountain flanks chain, thus leaving for traverse only the narrow strip between the mountains and the desert, which is rarely ten miles in width.[2]
But about long. 52°20' E this strip itself fails and being replaced with rocky spur which runs due south 20–30 miles in distance from Elburz into Great Desert, breaking the line of communication and seeming at first sight to obstruct it completely.
The spur itself is penetrable by two notch, more difficult one where spur joins Elburz, and another further down to the south which now known as the Girduni Sudurrah pass, constitutes the famous “Pylae Caspiae”. Only through this passage armies can proceed from Armenia, Media, and Persia eastward, or from Turkestan, Khorasan, and Afghanistan into the more western parts of Asia.[2]
Therefore, position of Girduni Sudurrah pass was of utmost importance, and for its protection Rhages was built so near eastern end of its territory. Parthian aggression was checked as long as Rhages remained in Seleucids possession, and Rhagiana along with rest of Media, and the other provinces were safe. While the loss of it to Parthia practically represented immediate loss of all Rhagiana, which hadn't any other natural protection, and adjacent eastern provinces.
After Phraates surmounted the Gates and established lodgment in the plain country beyond them, he resettle portion of Amardians from their mountain homes into city of Charax, western of the Gates, probably on the site now occupied by the ruins known as Uewanikif. Holding this strong he impose menace to neighboring Rhages, which could scarcely endure against enemy encamped at its doors.[2]
We are not informed, however, of any results which followed on the occupation of Charax during the lifetime of Phraates. His reign lasted only seven years, from 181-174 BCE(?), and it is thus probable that he died before there was time for his second important conquest to have any further consequences.[3]
Phraates had sufficient warning of his coming decease to make preparations with respect to a successor. Though he had several sons, some of whom were (we must suppose) of sufficient age to have ascended the throne, he left his crown to his brother, Mithridates.
He probably conceived that his kingdom require leadership of a firm ruler who could repel either Syrian or Bactrian aggression at any time, and also trust him better than any of his sons to conduct aggressive expeditions with combined vigor and forethought if Parthia pursue the path of conquest, which it entered upon during his reign. We shall see, as the history proceeds, how Mithridates justified his choice.[3]
It also appears that Phraates have borne special affection toward Mithridates, since he takes name of “Philadelphus” (transl. brother-loving) upon his coins. It must have been huge satisfaction to him that he was instantly able by his last act to consult for the good of his country, and to gratify his sentiment on which, evidently, he prided himself.[3]
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Phraates I of Parthia
Died: 171 BC |
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| Preceded by Phriapatius |
King of Parthia 176 – 171 BC |
Succeeded by Mithridates I |