Mithridates III of Parthia

Coin of Mithridates III.

Mithridates III of Parthia (Persian: مهرداد سوم) ruled the Parthian Empire c. 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 disposed 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. The Roman proconsul marched with Mithridates to the Euphrates, but turned back to restore another ruler, Ptolemy XII Auletes of Egypt, to his throne. Despite losing his Roman support, Mithridates 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 by Orodes.

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Junianus Justinus, Historiarum Philippicarum, xlii
Dio Cassius

Mithridates III of Parthia Arsacid dynasty Born: Unknown Died: 54 BC
Preceded by Phraates III	Great King (Shah) of Parthia 57–54 BC	Succeeded by Orodes II

Rulers of the Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 AD)

Arsaces I (250–246/211 BC) Tiridates I (246–211 BC) Arsaces II (211–191 BC) Phriapatius (191–176 BC) Phraates I (176–171 BC) Mithridates I (171–138 BC) Phraates II (138–127 BC) Artabanus II (127–124 BC) Mithridates II (124–88 BC) Gotarzes I (95–90 BC) Orodes I (90–80 BC) Sanatruces (77–70 BC) Phraates III (70–57 BC) Mithridates III (57–54 BC) Orodes II (57–38 BC) Pacorus I^§ (51 BC) Phraates IV (37–2 BC) Tiridates II^§ (32 BC) Musa (2 BC–4 AD) Phraates V (2 BC–4 AD) Orodes III (4–6) Vonones I (6–12) Artabanus III (10–35) Tiridates III (35–36) Artabanus III (36–38) Vardanes I (40–47) Gotarzes II (40–51) Vonones II (51) Vologases I (51–78) Vardanes II^§ (55–58) Vologases II (77–80) Pacorus II (78–105) Artabanus IV^§ (80–90) Vologases III (105–147) Osroes I (109–116) Parthamaspates^§ (116–117) Sanatruces II^§ (116) Osroes I (117–129) Vologases III (129–140) Mithridates IV (129–140) Vologases IV (147–191) Osroes II^§ (191) Vologases V (191–208) Vologases VI (208–228) Artabanus V^§ (208–224)

^§ usurpers or rival claimants

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