Parthia, AR drachm, Artabanus II

Parthia. Artabanus II (10-38AD)

Artabanus II was a king of the Parthian Empire who ruled from around 10 AD to 38 AD. He was of Arsacid descent but had previously lived among the Dahae, a nomadic people in Central Asia. His reign was marked by struggles for the throne, conflicts with Rome, and internal power struggles among Parthian nobles

Key Aspects of His Reign:

Rise to Power: Artabanus II took the throne after overthrowing Vonones I, who was considered too Romanized by the Parthian nobility

Conflict with Rome: His rule was characterized by tensions with the Roman Empire, particularly over Armenia. Rome supported rival claimants to the Parthian throne, leading to political instability

Relations with Nobility: Artabanus faced opposition from powerful Parthian aristocrats, who eventually forced him into exile around 35 AD. He later returned with support but struggled to maintain control

AR drachm (4.0 g, 17.5-19.5 mm)

OBVERSE: bust left with long and pointed beard, wearing double banded diadem with double loop, long hair, spiral torque, dotted border

REVERSE: seated figure of Arsaces (the dynasty’s founder) right, monogram below bow, seven line inscription “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ N ΑΡΣΑΚΟ Y EYEP Γ ETOY ΔΙΚΑΙΟ Y ΕΠ I ΦΑ NOY Σ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ” (King of Kings, Arsaces, the Beneficent, the Just, the Illustrious, the Philhellene)

The term ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ (Philhellene), meaning “friend of the Greeks,” was a way for Parthian kings to appeal to Hellenistic subjects and traditions, even though Parthia was a distinctly Persian-influenced empire

XF. SCARES

Reference: Z-148215 (this coin)

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