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Drachm - Artabanus I
| Issuer | Parthian Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 126 BC - 122 BC |
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| Reference(s) | Sellwood#20.1, Shore#59, Sunrise#278 |
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| Reverse description | The deified ancestor Arsakes I is depicted seated right upon an omphalos, holding a strung bow in his extended right hand. The figure wears Parthian dress with finely engraved drapery folds. A Greek legend surrounds the central device, reading BASILEOS MEGALOU ARSAKOU PHILELLENOS on the right and BASILEOS MEGALOU ARSAKOU PHILELLENOS continuing on the left, identifying the king by his dynastic title. The composition follows the established Arsacid reverse type with the archer enthroned motif. |
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| Reverse lettering | ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ |
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| Additional information |
Artabanus I seized the Parthian throne following the death of his brother Mithridates I, inheriting an empire that stretched from the Euphrates to eastern Iran but was already under pressure from Scythian incursions along its northeastern frontier. He spent most of his short reign fighting those nomadic groups rather than consolidating administrative control, and was killed in battle against them — likely the Tochari — around 122 BC. The brevity and turbulence of his rule kept mint output low, which Sellwood's die study reflects.