Orodes II
57 - 37 BC
Wērōd | Orod | 𐭅𐭓𐭅𐭃 | ارد دوم
Ver.2.0 - Last updated: Mar 1st 2022, by Mo. Rasoulipour
Brief Biography
While the two brothers, Mithridates IV and Orodes II, were fighting for the throne, Roman general and powerful politician, Marcus Licinius Crassus, was making plans to extend his territory eastwards into Parthian lands; and shortly after Orodes II came to the throne in 54 BC he attempted to do so.
In the Battle of Carrhae The Romans suffered one of the worst military defeats in Roman history. Despite being greatly outnumbered four to one, Parthian general Surena with 1,000 cataphract lancers and 9,000 horse archers managed to inflict heavy losses to the slower Roman forces by using evasive maneuvers which became known as the "Parthian Shot" tactic.
In the meantime, Orodes II invaded Armenia, cutting off support from king Artavasdes II and forcing him to abandon his alliance with the Romans. However, after Surena's great achievements, Orodes II ruthlessly executed him due to fear of his growing power.
Emboldened by the victory over Crassus, the Parthians under Orodes II attempted to capture Roman-held territories in Western Asia. He put his son, the crown prince Pacorus in charge of this expedition which ultimately ended in failure by 51 BC.
During the Roman Republican civil wars, the Parthians sided first with Pompey and then with Brutus and Cassius. in 40 BC Pacorus, assisted by the Roman deserter Quintus Labienus, conquered a great part of Syria and Asia Minor, but was defeated and killed by Ventidius in 38 BC. Orodes, who was deeply afflicted by the death of his favourite son, relinquished the throne to his son Phraates IV.
Orodes II died in 37 BC. It is also suspected that Phraates IV killed him in order to ascend to the throne.
- Paraphrased by Mahdi Valian from Wikipedia
References
Orod’s Enemies
Likely Accuracy of the Creative Recreation
Weak Guess:
Due to the lack of realism in coins minted in this period of the Parthian Empire, it is very hard to make out the details of Orod’s face. Although there are elements in which the coins minted in Seleucia seem to have in common which might help in a better guess. Orodes is depicted as a bit fuller in face and perhaps heavier than his father, Phraates III’s depictions on coins.
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