Orodes II
57 - 37 BC
Wērōd | Orod | 𐭅𐭓𐭅𐭃 | ارد دوم
Recreation of Parthian King, Orodes II from coins. Download
A likeness of young Orodes II in a blue kingly gown and golden diadem. Download
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
Two coins of Parthian Kings Orodes II. One minted in Seleucia with magnificent details, and the other more stylized depiction of him minted in Nisa.
Notable elements consist of a thick neck, curved nose, square-cut Parthian hairstyle, medium beard with distinguished mustache, and a chocker. There is a presence of a mole on the forehead believed by some to be the mark of kingship among the Arsacid family. This mole is especially pronounced in more symbolic coins minted in the east and is lacking from the more perhaps realistic coins minted in Seleucia.
It is hard to make out what exactly is the animal depicted on Orodes’ chocker is. By looking at coins minted in Ecbatana and multiple Parthian art pieces remaining from this period, one can assume it could have been the Parthian Griffin.
Orod’s Enemies
(Strong Guess) Marcus Licinius Crassus, based on a realistic roman bust of him.
Crassus was the Roman General known as the “richest man in Rome“ who attacked the Parthian Empire during the reign of Orodes II, to bring glory to Rome and expand the Empire eastwards.
(Imaginary) Publius, Crassus’ son. Imaginary, based on the likeness of his father.
He accompanied his father to battle but was crushed. Both lost their lives along with almost their entire army. This defeat shook the empire to a degree that shaped the Roman-Iranian relations for almost a thousand years after.
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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