Mithridates I of Parthia: Difference between revisions
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[[Image: MithradatesI.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Coin of Mithridates I from the mint at [[Seleucia on the Tigris]]. The reverse shows a naked [[Heracles]] holding a cup, lion's skin and club. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ ([coin] of the Great King [[Arsacid dynasty|Arsaces]], friend of the Greeks). The date ΓΟΡ is the year 173 of the [[Seleucid era]], corresponding to [[140 BC|140]]–[[139 BC]].]] |
[[Image: MithradatesI.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Coin of Mithridates I from the mint at [[Seleucia on the Tigris]]. The reverse shows a naked [[Heracles]] holding a cup, lion's skin and club. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ ([coin] of the Great King [[Arsacid dynasty|Arsaces]], friend of the Greeks). The date ΓΟΡ is the year 173 of the [[Seleucid era]], corresponding to [[140 BC|140]]–[[139 BC]].]] |
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'''Mithridates I of Parthia |
'''Mithridates I''' of Parthia (or '''Mithradates''') (c. [[195 BC]] – [[138 BC]]) was the "Great King" of [[Parthia]] from about [[171 BC]] to [[138 BC]], succeeding his brother [[Phraates I of Parthia]] (176–171 BC). He was the son of [[Phriapatius of Parthia]] (191–176 BC), King of Parthia (died c. [[176 BC]]). Mithridates I made Parthia into a major political power, expanded the empire westward into Mesopotamia. During his reign, the Parthians took [[Babylonia]] ([[144 BC]]), [[medes|Media]] ([[141 BC]]) and [[Persian Empire|Persia]] ([[139 BC]]), when Mithridates I captured the [[Seleucid]] ruler [[Demetrius II of Syria]]. Demetrius II later married Mithridates I's daughter Rhodogune. |
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Eastward Mithridates extended his control into Margiana, Aria and Bactria, thus completing Parthian control of the overland trade routes between east and west, the [[Silk Road]] and the [[Royal Road|Persian Royal Road]]. This control of trade was to be the foundation of Parthian wealth and power, and was jealously guarded by the Arsacids, who always attempted to maintain direct control over the lands through which the major trade routes passed. |
Eastward Mithridates I extended his control into Margiana, Aria and Bactria, thus completing Parthian control of the overland trade routes between east and west, the [[Silk Road]] and the [[Royal Road|Persian Royal Road]]. This control of trade was to be the foundation of Parthian wealth and power, and was jealously guarded by the Arsacids, who always attempted to maintain direct control over the lands through which the major trade routes passed. |
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Parthian control broke the tenuous link with Greeks in the West that had sustained the Hellenistic kingdom of [[Greco-Bactria]], yet |
Parthian control broke the tenuous link with Greeks in the West that had sustained the Hellenistic kingdom of [[Greco-Bactria]], yet Mithridates I actively promoted [[Hellenism]] in the areas he controlled and titled himself ''Philhellene'' ("friend of the Greeks") on his somewhat primitive coins: they show the first appearance on Parthian coins of a Greek-style portrait showing the royal [[diadem (personal wear)|diadem]], the standard Greek symbol for kingship. Mithradates I resumed the striking of coins, which had been suspended ever since [[Arsaces II of Parthia]] (211–191 BC) had been forced to submit to the [[Seleucid dynasty|Seleucid]] [[Antiochus III the Great|Antiochus III]] (223–187 BC) in [[206 BC]]. |
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His name assigned him to the protection of [[Mithra]] and carried the god's authority in some measure. |
His name assigned him to the protection of [[Mithra]] and carried the god's authority in some measure. |
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Mithridates I's son [[Phraates II of Parthia|Phraates II]] succeeded him on his death as King. |
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Revision as of 08:40, 6 June 2006
Mithridates I of Parthia (or Mithradates) (c. 195 BC – 138 BC) was the "Great King" of Parthia from about 171 BC to 138 BC, succeeding his brother Phraates I of Parthia (176–171 BC). He was the son of Phriapatius of Parthia (191–176 BC), King of Parthia (died c. 176 BC). Mithridates I made Parthia into a major political power, expanded the empire westward into Mesopotamia. During his reign, the Parthians took Babylonia (144 BC), Media (141 BC) and Persia (139 BC), when Mithridates I captured the Seleucid ruler Demetrius II of Syria. Demetrius II later married Mithridates I's daughter Rhodogune.
Eastward Mithridates I extended his control into Margiana, Aria and Bactria, thus completing Parthian control of the overland trade routes between east and west, the Silk Road and the Persian Royal Road. This control of trade was to be the foundation of Parthian wealth and power, and was jealously guarded by the Arsacids, who always attempted to maintain direct control over the lands through which the major trade routes passed.
Parthian control broke the tenuous link with Greeks in the West that had sustained the Hellenistic kingdom of Greco-Bactria, yet Mithridates I actively promoted Hellenism in the areas he controlled and titled himself Philhellene ("friend of the Greeks") on his somewhat primitive coins: they show the first appearance on Parthian coins of a Greek-style portrait showing the royal diadem, the standard Greek symbol for kingship. Mithradates I resumed the striking of coins, which had been suspended ever since Arsaces II of Parthia (211–191 BC) had been forced to submit to the Seleucid Antiochus III (223–187 BC) in 206 BC.
His name assigned him to the protection of Mithra and carried the god's authority in some measure.
Mithridates I's son Phraates II succeeded him on his death as King.
| Preceded by: Phraates I |
King of Parthia | Succeeded by: Phraates II |