Drachm - Mithridates II 123 BC - 88 BC

Reverse

Beardless archer wearing bashlyk and cloak seated right on throne, holding bow and arrow in right hand; no border; square four-line Greek inscription.

Script: Greek

Lettering: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ

Comment

Uncle of Phraates II, Artabanus I (r. c. 127-124 BCE) would successfully put down revolts in Elam, Characene, and Babylon, but his reign was cut short when he was killed in battle against the Yuezhi in the east. His son, Mithridates II (r. 124-88 BCE) would take over and become Parthia’s greatest ruler. Mithridates would not only strengthen Parthia’s hand in Elam, Characene, Mesopotamia, and Bactria but he also added Albania and Armenia and captured the Syrian city of Dura-Europas in the west. With frontiers now stretching between the Mediterranean Sea and China, Parthia became a geographical juggernaut and true superpower. Source: ancient.eu/Parthia_(Empire)/

Mithradates II was the eighth Parthian king. One of the greatest Parthian kings, he defeated all Seleucid attempts to reclaim their Eastern territories and made Parthia into a formidable, unified empire. He made contact with Rome and introduced new titles and designs on his extensive coinage. He adopted the title Epiphanes, "god manifest". Late in his reign, Mithradates II exerted his influence in Greater Armenia where he took as hostage the prince who was to become Tigranes the Great of Armenia. Source: http://www.parthia.com/mithradates2.htm

Interesting fact