Phraates II

File:Coin of Phraates II of Parthia.jpg

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 Mithradates 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 of Syria (138–129 BC), ruler of the Seleucid Empire. Antiochus VII, however, 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, but was defeated and killed.

Preceded by: Mithridates I

King of Parthia

Succeeded by: Artabanus I

References

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
• Junianus Justinus, Historiarum Philippicarum, xli