Marek Jan Olbrycht, “ORODES II”, in: Encyclopaedia Iranica Online [Columbia University in the City of New York]

(First published online: 2021; First print edition: 20210303)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2330-4804_EIRO_COM_336463

KEYWORDS:

Parthia, Arsacids, Iranian history, Roman History, Iranian Studies, Silk Road, Republican Rome

ORODES II (r. 58/57-37 BCE), king of Parthia, son of Phraates III (r. 70-57 BCE), and father of Phraates IV. During his reign, the empire of the Arsacids reached the zenith of its power and scored significant victories against Rome. After the profound changes that occurred in eastern Parthia in 58-55 BCE in connection with the civil war and the fall of the Sakaraukan supremacy in Bactria, Orodes seems to have been able to retain his dominance in Sakastān and the Indo-Scythian region. He was put on the throne of Parthia by the Sūrēn clan and the Sakas of the east. Following the execution of Surenas, Orodes fell out with the Sūrēn, but his eastern connections were still strong. Azes’ dynasty of the Indo-Scythian region was closely connected with the Parthians. Its rule began in 58/7 BCE, approximately at the same time as that of Orodes II. In the northwest, Orodes II built up a firm block of dependent kingdoms including Armenia and Commagene. Armenia’s links with the Arsacids would not have been possible if Atropatene had not been another of Parthia’s vassal states. Iberia and Albania appear to have been included into the circle of Arsacid dependent states. The end of Orodes II’s reign was tragic for him. But despite the civil war and Phraates IV’s coup d’état, Parthia was still a powerful state, as would be seen in its great war against Rome in 36 BCE. Orodes II led his empire to a zenith of power and the dramatic change on the throne linked with his death did not undermine the strength of Parthia.

LINK: https://www.academia.edu/52693629/Orodes_II