Tetradrachm - Autophradates II 138 BC - 110 BC

Reverse

Fire temple of Ahura-Mazda; above, half-figure of Ahura-Mazda; to left, king standing right; to right, eagle standing left on standard.

Edge

Plain

Comment

Persepolis mint.

The reign of Autophradates II is known only from his coins, which are especially notable for showing the breakdown of Seleukid authority in the eastern satrapies. After the death of Alexander the Great, his generals divided his empire amongst themselves, subsequently warring with one another for control of the various provinces and satrapies. Seleukos I came to control of the entire eastern portion of the realm, but his successors based their power in the west, in Syria and Mesopotamia, leaving the eastern regions under only nominal control.*By the later third century the local governors of Persis had begun issuing their own coins, but were mindful to pay nominal respect to their Seleukid overlords by incorporating the title frataraka, i.e., local ruler-priests, in the design. Sometime during the first half of the third century however - perhaps after the Roman defeat of Antiochos III at Magnesia in 190 BC, or around the the time of Antiochos IV's failed anabasis to recoup the Iranian plateau 164 BC - Autophradates II dropped the pretense of subservience and began issuing coins which either wholly lacked the title of ruler-priest or employed the title of king. This drew no consequence from the Seleukids who were powerless to reassert their authority in the east, and continued throughout the duration that the rulers of Persis struck coinage.

Interesting fact