Mithradates III was king of Parthian Empire from 57–54 BC.
Mithridates was a son of Phraates III, whom he murdered in 57 BC, with the assistance of his brother Orodes. Orodes became king of Parthia and made Mithridates king of Media, a Parthian client state.
On account of his cruelty, Orodes turned on his brother and deposed him. Mithridates was forced to flee from Media to Roman Syria. He took refuge with Aulus Gabinius, the Roman proconsul and governor of Syria. Mithridates then returned to invade Parthia with Gabinius in support. He advanced into Mesopotamia and managed to conquer Babylonia. He ousted Orodes and briefly restored his reign as king in 55 BC, minting coins in Seleucia until 54 BC.
However, king Mithridates was besieged by Orodes' general, Surena, in Seleucia, and after a prolonged resistance, offered battle to Orodes' forces and was defeated. Mithridates was taken prisoner and executed in 54 BC.
Mithridates was a son of Phraates III, whom he murdered in 57 BC, with the assistance of his brother Orodes. Orodes became king of Parthia and made Mithridates king of Media, a Parthian client state.
On account of his cruelty, Orodes turned on his brother and deposed him. Mithridates was forced to flee from Media to Roman Syria. He took refuge with Aulus Gabinius, the Roman proconsul and governor of Syria. Mithridates then returned to invade Parthia with Gabinius in support. He advanced into Mesopotamia and managed to conquer Babylonia. He ousted Orodes and briefly restored his reign as king in 55 BC, minting coins in Seleucia until 54 BC.
However, king Mithridates was besieged by Orodes' general, Surena, in Seleucia, and after a prolonged resistance, offered battle to Orodes' forces and was defeated. Mithridates was taken prisoner and executed in 54 BC.
(1)
Mithradates III
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Obverse: Bearded bust left wearing tiara with eight-pointed star, pellet ended torque
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ (Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow in right hand)
Diameter:
21.84 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.17 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.17 g
No notes for this coin
Sellwood 31.6
(2)
Mithradates III
Obverse: bearded bust with tiara
Reverse: archer without beard, with cloak and bashlyk seated on throne, holding bow; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, Δ above foot
Diameter:
19.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.02 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.02 g
Selwood's Orodes I
Sellwood 31.5 (Orodes I); Shore 123 (Orodos I); SGCV II 7389 (Orodos I); BMC Parthia p. 42, 4 (Sinatruces); Sunrise 308 var. (legend arrangement)