Laodice of Parthia
Encyclopedia
Laodice was a Princess from the Kingdom of Commagene
who lived in the 1st century BC. She was of Greek
and Armenia
n descent. Laodice was the first daughter born to King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene
and Queen Isias
Philostorgos of Commagene.
Laodice married King Orodes II of Parthia
. Through this marriage, she became Queen of the Parthian Empire. In 38 BC Laodice and Orodes II with their children, were in a parricidal and fratricidal massacre perpetrated by Phraates IV of Parthia
to whom Orodes II handed over the Parthian throne after the death of Laodice and Orodes’ son Pacorus I of Parthia
in battle in 38 BC.
When Laodice died, her brother King Mithridates II of Commagene
had her body returned to Commagene. She was buried near her mother Isias
, her sister Antiochis of Commagene
and her niece Aka I of Commagene
. Mithridates in her honour built and dedicated a funeral monument.
The tomb tumulus of Laodice measures 21 metres or 69 feet. Only one column is still standing with a stele on top of it. The stele depicts a dexiosis relief or a scene between Mithridates II and Laodice shaking hands. The inscription underneath the dexiosis relief is so weathered that the inscription wasn’t notice until 1938. It wasn’t until 1979; the inscription was finally recorded and revealed:
This inscription dedicated to Laodice suggests a cenotaph, as Mithridates II is saying farewell to his sister, Laodice. The grave chamber of Laodice was located inside the tumulus. After the Kingdom of Commagene
was annexed in 72 by the Roman Emperor
Vespasian
, her tomb was plundered. Romans removed stone blocks from her tomb and used the stones for construction projects in Commagene.
Kingdom of Commagene
The Kingdom of Commagene was an ancient kingdom of the Hellenistic Age.Little is known of the region of Commagene prior to the beginning of the 2nd century BC. However, it seems that, from what little evidence remains, Commagene formed part of a larger state that also included Sophene...
who lived in the 1st century BC. She was of Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
and Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n descent. Laodice was the first daughter born to King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene
Antiochus I Theos of Commagene
Antiochus I Theos Dikaios Epiphanes Philorhomaios Philhellenos Antiochus I Theos Dikaios Epiphanes Philorhomaios Philhellenos Antiochus I Theos Dikaios Epiphanes Philorhomaios Philhellenos (Greek: о Αντίοχος Θεός Δίκαιος Επιφανής Φιλορωμαίος Φιλέλλην, meaning Antiochos, a just, eminent god, friend...
and Queen Isias
Isias
Isias, surnamed Philostorgos or Philostorgus was a Princess of Cappadocia who lived in the 1st century BC. Through her marriage to King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene, she became the Queen of Commagene. Very little is known on her. She was half Persian and half Greek...
Philostorgos of Commagene.
Laodice married King Orodes II of Parthia
Orodes II of Parthia
Orodes II of Parthia ruled the Parthian Empire from 57 to 38 BC. Orodes was a son of Phraates III, whom he murdered in 57 BC, assisted by his brother Mithridates...
. Through this marriage, she became Queen of the Parthian Empire. In 38 BC Laodice and Orodes II with their children, were in a parricidal and fratricidal massacre perpetrated by Phraates IV of Parthia
Phraates IV of Parthia
King Phraates IV of Parthia, son of Orodes II, ruled the Parthian Empire from 37–2 BC. He was appointed successor to the throne in 37 BC, after the death of his brother Pacorus I...
to whom Orodes II handed over the Parthian throne after the death of Laodice and Orodes’ son Pacorus I of Parthia
Pacorus I of Parthia
Pacorus I of Parthia was the son of king Orodes II and queen Laodice of the Parthian Empire. It is possible that he was co-ruler with his father for at least part of his father's reign...
in battle in 38 BC.
When Laodice died, her brother King Mithridates II of Commagene
Mithridates II of Commagene
Mithridates II Antiochus Epiphanes Philorhomaios Philhellenos Monocritis, also known as Mithridates II of Commagene was a man of Armenian and Greek descent who lived in the 1st century BC. He was a prince of Commagene and one of the sons of King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene and Queen Isias...
had her body returned to Commagene. She was buried near her mother Isias
Isias
Isias, surnamed Philostorgos or Philostorgus was a Princess of Cappadocia who lived in the 1st century BC. Through her marriage to King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene, she became the Queen of Commagene. Very little is known on her. She was half Persian and half Greek...
, her sister Antiochis of Commagene
Antiochis of Commagene
Antiochis of Commagene was a Princess from the Kingdom of Commagene, who lived in the 1st century BC. Antiochis was of Greek and Armenian descent....
and her niece Aka I of Commagene
Aka I of Commagene
Aka I of Commagene, also known as Aka I was a Princess from the Kingdom of Commagene, who lived in the 1st century BC. Aka I was of Greek and Armenian descent....
. Mithridates in her honour built and dedicated a funeral monument.
The tomb tumulus of Laodice measures 21 metres or 69 feet. Only one column is still standing with a stele on top of it. The stele depicts a dexiosis relief or a scene between Mithridates II and Laodice shaking hands. The inscription underneath the dexiosis relief is so weathered that the inscription wasn’t notice until 1938. It wasn’t until 1979; the inscription was finally recorded and revealed:
- The great King Mithridates, the son of the great king Antiochus and queen Isias, dedicated this image to the unfading memory of queen Laodice, the king’s sister and the wife of Orodes, the king of kings, and to her own honour.
This inscription dedicated to Laodice suggests a cenotaph, as Mithridates II is saying farewell to his sister, Laodice. The grave chamber of Laodice was located inside the tumulus. After the Kingdom of Commagene
Kingdom of Commagene
The Kingdom of Commagene was an ancient kingdom of the Hellenistic Age.Little is known of the region of Commagene prior to the beginning of the 2nd century BC. However, it seems that, from what little evidence remains, Commagene formed part of a larger state that also included Sophene...
was annexed in 72 by the Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Vespasian
Vespasian
Vespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
, her tomb was plundered. Romans removed stone blocks from her tomb and used the stones for construction projects in Commagene.