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 deposed 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). "Mithradates". Encyclopædia Britannica. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 620–622.
• Junianus Justinus, Historiarum Philippicarum, xlii
• Dio Cassius