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Drachm - Phraates II
| Issuer | Parthian Empire |
|---|---|
| Year | 132 BC - 127 BC |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 3.3 g |
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| Obverse description | Bare-headed bust of King Phraates II facing left, wearing a taenia binding the hair, with a short beard rendered in fine strands in the Hellenistic tradition. The portrait displays characteristically Parthian stylistic elements, with curled locks framing the face. A mint monogram or control mark appears in the field to the right behind the royal effigy. A partial Greek legend is visible along the upper border of the coin. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
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| Additional information |
Phraates II inherited the Parthian throne from his father Mithridates I around 138 BC and spent much of his reign managing the catastrophic pressure of Seleucid attempts to reclaim lost territory. Antiochus VII Sidetes invaded with a large force and initially succeeded in reoccupying significant ground, before Phraates turned the campaign decisively in 129 BC — Antiochus died in battle, his army destroyed. The victory secured Parthian control over Mesopotamia permanently.
Phraates himself was killed around 127 BC fighting Saka nomads along the eastern frontier, ironically using captured Greek soldiers from Antiochus's defeated army as auxiliaries — troops who reportedly switched sides mid-battle.