Drachm - Phraates III

Phraates III came to power around 70 BC after his father Sinatruces died and the Parthian throne had been fought over by rival claimants for years. His reign coincided with Rome's eastern wars under Lucullus and then Pompey, and he played both sides with considerable skill — receiving embassies from both Pompey and Mithridates VI of Pontus simultaneously, extracting treaty concessions from Rome in exchange for neutrality. Sellwood type 36 drachms span this entire diplomatic period.

He was eventually murdered by his own sons, Mithridates III and Orodes II, around 57 BC — the closing date of this issue.