User:HistoryofIran/Orodes II

Orodes II (also spelled Urud II) was King of Kings of the Parthian Empire from 57 to 37 BC.

Background
Orodes was a son of Phraates III ((r. 69 – 57)), whose father Sinatruces ((r. 78/7 – 69)), was presumably a son of the Parthian ruler Mithridates I ((r. 171 – 132)). The name of the Arsacid branch established by Sinatruces on the Parthian throne has been coined by the modern historian Marek Jan Olbrycht as the "Sinatrucids", which ruled the Parthian Empire from 78/7 BC to 12 AD.

Rise
In c. 57 BC Phraates III was murdered by Orodes II and his elder brother Mithridates IV. Mithridates IV, who was the elder brother of Orodes, was at first supported by the latter. However, the two brothers quickly fell out, and Orodes revolted with the support of the Suren clan. They both assumed the title of King of Kings to demonstrate their claims of superiority over each other.

This changed the meaning of the title; originally being used as a symbol of political dominance over other realms, the title became known as a symbol of power and legitimacy for contenders in a royal family. Mithridates IV was forced to flee from to Roman Syria. He took refuge with Aulus Gabinius, the Roman proconsul and governor of Syria. Mithridates IV then returned to invade Parthia with Gabinius in support. The Roman proconsul marched with Mithridates IV to the Euphrates, but turned back to restore another ruler, Ptolemy XII Auletes of Egypt, to his throne. Despite losing his Roman support, Mithridates IV 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 IV was besieged by Orodes' general, Surena, in Seleucia, and after a prolonged resistance, offered battle to Orodes' forces and was defeated. Mithridates IV was afterwards executed in 54 BC by Orodes.