Andragoras (Seleucid satrap)
| Andragoras | |
|---|---|
| Satrap and self-proclaimed King of Parthia. | |
 Coin of Andragoras. Obv:Bearded ruler wearing the taenia. Rev': Greek legend ΑΝΔΡΑΓΟΡΟΥ ("Andragoras"). Quadriga driven by Nike, together with an armed warrior. | |
| Reign | 245–238 BCE (as King) |
| Successor | Arsaces |
| Died |
238 BCE Parthia |
- Not to be mistaken for Andragoras, a satrap of Alexander from 331 BCE, also in the area of Parthia.
Narisanka, better known by his Hellenized name of Andragoras (died 238 BCE) was a Iranian nobleman who served as the Seleucid satrap of the province of Parthia under the Seleucid rulers Antiochus I Soter and Antiochus II Theos.[1][2]
Andragoras proclaimed independence from the Seleucid Empire in 247–245 BCE, at a time when the Seleucids were embroiled in conflict with Ptolemaic Egypt.[1] He revolted soon after the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom had broken away from the Seleucids, and Andragorus may have been allied with the new Bactrian king, Diodotus I.[1] In defiance, he issued coins in which he wears the royal diadem as well as his name.[3]
Andragoras ruled only for a few years, before being vanquished and killed by the Parni led by Arsaces around 238 BCE, who went on to create the Parthian Empire:[1]
- "He (Arsaces) was used to a life of pillage and theft, when he heard about the defeat of Seleucus against the Gauls. Relieved from his fear of the king, he attacked the Parthians with a band of thieves, vanquished their prefect Andragoras, and, after having killed him took the power over the nation" ("Hic solitus latrociniis et rapto uiuere accepta opinione Seleucum a Gallis in Asia uictum, solutus regis metu, cum praedonum manu Parthos ingressus praefectum eorum Andragoran oppressit sublatoque eo imperium gentis inuasit") Justin, xli. 4.
Notes
Sources
- Toumanoff, Cyril (1986). "Arsacids". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. II, Fasc. 5. Cyril Toumanoff. pp. 525–546.
- Pourshariati, Parvaneh (2008). Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire: The Sasanian-Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran. London and New York: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-645-3.
- Frye, Richard Nelson (1984). The History of Ancient Iran. C.H.Beck. pp. 1–411. ISBN 9783406093975.
- Farrokh, Kaveh (2007). Shadows in the Desert: Ancient Persia at War. Oxford, UK: Osprey. ISBN 1846031087.