Phraates I of Parthia
Encyclopedia
Phraates I of Parthia, ruler of the Parthian Empire
from 176-171 BCE, succeed his father Phriapatius
(191-176 BCE) on the throne. Died relatively young, and appointed as his successor not one of his sons, but his brother Mithridates I
(171-138 BCE).
He subdued the Amard
ians (lat. Amardis), mountaineers occupying eastern portion of the Elburz range
, south of the Caspian Sea
.
.
At the beginning of his campaign he subjugated Amard
i, a mountainous tribe in Elburz
, and Starangians, a nomadic people living South-East of Parthia.
Afterwards, he left North with the rest of the campaign, that consisted of 1000 men, women and horses/donkeys. His campaign had problems with logistics, and was caught up during the autumn in 171 BC, just prior to what they had planned. Because of this, Phraates gained time to build war machines that he or others could use. He then chose to get rid of these because of the logistics problems.
Hence Phraates planned to subjugate parts of Media, and especially the foundation wall of the Haron fortress, which was built on peak nearby. Before Phraates got there, the Scythians had allied with the rest of the Mardi, and surprised Phraates with an ambush around the walls of Media. Phraates got an arrow in his stomach, and died young, but just before his death, he didn’t appoint one of his sons, but his brother, a wise general, Mithridates I. Mithridates managed to escape from the ambush, and presumably made it back to Media in safety.
ians, a poor but warlike people, who appear to have occupied eastern portion of the Elburz range
, south of the Caspian Sea
, what is probably today immediately south of Māzandarān
and Astarabad
. The reduction of these fierce mountaineers is likely to have occupied him for some years, since their country was exceedingly strong and difficult.
At that time Amard
i were de facto nominally subjects of the Seleucidae
, we don't see any mention of assistance being rendered to them, nor even any complaint were being sent by Seleucus IV
against unprovoked aggression of the Parthian monarch.
Account for inactivity of Seleucus IV Philopator
in Syria, who was characterized as weak and pacific, might be consisted in part by war exhaustion of Syria in this period
which was consequence of his father's, Antiochus III
, great war against Rome (192-188 BCE) and heavy contribution which was imposed upon Seleucids
at Treaty of Apamea
. Syria might scarcely recovered sufficient military strength to enter upon a new struggle, especially with remote and powerful enemy.
Seleucus IV also may seemed that material interests of Seleucid Empire have been minorly affected by Parthian aggression, since Amard
i were too poor to provide much tribute, so Syria considered their subjection rather a formality than a fact. Therefore he allowed reduction of Amardians, probably conceiving that their transfer under Arsacid
dominance would neither increase Parthian power nor diminished his own.
, when he robbed them of unproductive and valueless province and conquered the Amard
ians, expansionistic appetite in his eyes grew up and he resolved to append adjacent territory to his kingdom. This was the tract lying immediately to the West of the Caspian Gates
, which was traditionally reckoned to Media
(Assyria
), forming distinct district known as Media Rhagiana. It was natural very fertile region, being watered by numerous mountain streams originating in Elburz range
, and possessing a soil of remarkable productiveness.
Its breadth was not great, since it consisted of a mere strip between the mountains and Great Salt Desert
which occupies the whole centre of the Iranian plateau
, but it extended in length at least a hundred and fifty miles, from the Caspian Gates
to the vicinity of Qazwin
. Since remote antiquity its capital city was Rhages
, situated near the eastern extremity of the strip, probably at the spot now called Kaleh Erij, about twenty-three miles from the Gates. It's clear enough that Phraates cast his covetous eye on this region. Seize of his conquest is doubtful, but with least certainty he established lodgment in its eastern extremity, which put whole region in jeopardy.
Nature has set a remarkable barrier between the more eastern and the more western portions of Occidental Asia, about midway in the tract which lies straightly south of the Caspian Sea
. The Elburz range
in this part is one of so tremendous a character, and northward adjoins so closely on Caspian Sea, forcing all communication between east and west inevitably to pass south of it. And south of Elbruz, Great Desert
imposing itself as insuperable obstacle to transit, the line of communication has to cling to the flanks of the mountain flanks chain, thus leaving for traverse only the narrow strip between the mountains and the desert, which is rarely ten miles in width.
But about long. 52°20' E this strip itself fails and being replaced with rocky spur which runs due south 20–30 miles in distance from Elburz
into Great Desert
, breaking the line of communication and seeming at first sight to obstruct it completely.
The spur itself is penetrable by two notch, more difficult one where spur joins Elburz, and another further down to the south which now known as the Girduni Sudurrah pass, constitutes the famous “Pylae Caspiae”. Only through this passage armies can proceed from Armenia, Media, and Persia eastward, or from Turkestan, Khorasan, and Afghanistan into the more western parts of Asia.
Therefore, position of Girduni Sudurrah pass was of utmost importance, and for its protection Rhages
was built so near eastern end of its territory. Parthian aggression was checked as long as Rhages remained in Seleucids
possession, and Rhagiana along with rest of Media, and the other provinces were safe. While the loss of it to Parthia practically represented immediate loss of all Rhagiana, which hadn't any other natural protection, and adjacent eastern provinces.
After Phraates surmounted the Gates
and established lodgment in the plain country beyond them, he resettle portion of Amard
ians from their mountain homes into city of Charax
, western of the Gates, probably on the site now occupied by the ruins known as Uewanikif. Holding this strong he impose menace to neighboring Rhages, which could scarcely endure against enemy encamped at its doors.
We are not informed, however, of any results which followed on the occupation of Charax during the lifetime of Phraates. His reign lasted only seven years, from 181-174 BCE(?), and it is thus probable that he died before there was time for his second important conquest to have any further consequences.
.
He probably conceived that his kingdom
require leadership of a firm ruler who could repel either Syrian or Bactrian aggression at any time, and also trust him better than any of his sons to conduct aggressive expeditions with combined vigor and forethought if Parthia pursue the path of conquest, which it entered upon during his reign. We shall see, as the history proceeds, how Mithridates justified his choice.
It also appears that Phraates have borne special affection toward Mithridates, since he takes name of “Philadelphus” (transl. brother-loving) upon his coins. It must have been huge satisfaction to him that he was instantly able by his last act to consult for the good of his country, and to gratify his sentiment on which, evidently, he prided himself.
Parthian Empire
The Parthian Empire , also known as the Arsacid Empire , was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Persia...
from 176-171 BCE, succeed his father Phriapatius
Phriapatius of Parthia
Phriapatius , sometimes called Phriapites, ruled the Parthian Empire from 191 BC to 176 BC. He was the grandson of Tiridates I of Parthia , the brother of Arsaces I of Parthia , the founder of the Parthian Empire.He ruled in the period following the invasion of Parthia by the Seleucid king...
(191-176 BCE) on the throne. Died relatively young, and appointed as his successor not one of his sons, but his brother Mithridates I
Mithridates I of Parthia
Mithridates or Mithradates I was the "Great King" of Parthia from ca. 171 BC - 138 BC, succeeding his brother Phraates I. His father was King Phriapatius of Parthia, who died ca. 176 BC). Mithridates I made Parthia into a major political power by expanding the empire to the east, south, and west...
(171-138 BCE).
He subdued the Amard
Amard
The Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
ians (lat. Amardis), mountaineers occupying eastern portion of the Elburz range
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
, south of the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
.
Military campaigns
In 171 BC, Phraates gathered troops and created a campaign. The campaign was planned many years ahead, when Phraates and his advisors found it important to invade the kingdoms and countries nearby. The motto of the campaign was Jegde dorte revyn sqetscius, which was a battle-cry, especially used in the areas around MediaMedes
The MedesThe Medes...
.
At the beginning of his campaign he subjugated Amard
Amard
The Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
i, a mountainous tribe in Elburz
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
, and Starangians, a nomadic people living South-East of Parthia.
Afterwards, he left North with the rest of the campaign, that consisted of 1000 men, women and horses/donkeys. His campaign had problems with logistics, and was caught up during the autumn in 171 BC, just prior to what they had planned. Because of this, Phraates gained time to build war machines that he or others could use. He then chose to get rid of these because of the logistics problems.
Hence Phraates planned to subjugate parts of Media, and especially the foundation wall of the Haron fortress, which was built on peak nearby. Before Phraates got there, the Scythians had allied with the rest of the Mardi, and surprised Phraates with an ambush around the walls of Media. Phraates got an arrow in his stomach, and died young, but just before his death, he didn’t appoint one of his sons, but his brother, a wise general, Mithridates I. Mithridates managed to escape from the ambush, and presumably made it back to Media in safety.
Campaign against Amardians
At beginning of his reign Phraates I directed his arms towards territory inhabited by AmardAmard
The Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
ians, a poor but warlike people, who appear to have occupied eastern portion of the Elburz range
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
, south of the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
, what is probably today immediately south of Māzandarān
Mazandaran Province
Mazandaran Province is a Caspian province in the north of Iran. Located on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, it is bordered clockwise by the Golestan, Semnan, Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, and Gilan provinces....
and Astarabad
Gorgan
Gorgan Some east of Gorgan is the Golestan National Park. The city has a regional airport and several universities. Gorgan Airport was opened in September 2005.-Etymology:...
. The reduction of these fierce mountaineers is likely to have occupied him for some years, since their country was exceedingly strong and difficult.
At that time Amard
Amard
The Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
i were de facto nominally subjects of the Seleucidae
Seleucid Empire
The Seleucid Empire was a Greek-Macedonian state that was created out of the eastern conquests of Alexander the Great. At the height of its power, it included central Anatolia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, Persia, today's Turkmenistan, Pamir and parts of Pakistan.The Seleucid Empire was a major centre...
, we don't see any mention of assistance being rendered to them, nor even any complaint were being sent by Seleucus IV
Seleucus IV Philopator
Seleucus IV Philopator , ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, reigned from 187 BC to 175 BC over a realm consisting of Syria , Mesopotamia, Babylonia and Nearer Iran . He was the second son and successor of Antiochus III the Great and Laodice III...
against unprovoked aggression of the Parthian monarch.
Account for inactivity of Seleucus IV Philopator
Seleucus IV Philopator
Seleucus IV Philopator , ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, reigned from 187 BC to 175 BC over a realm consisting of Syria , Mesopotamia, Babylonia and Nearer Iran . He was the second son and successor of Antiochus III the Great and Laodice III...
in Syria, who was characterized as weak and pacific, might be consisted in part by war exhaustion of Syria in this period
which was consequence of his father's, Antiochus III
Antiochus III the Great
Antiochus III the Great Seleucid Greek king who became the 6th ruler of the Seleucid Empire as a youth of about eighteen in 223 BC. Antiochus was an ambitious ruler who ruled over Greater Syria and western Asia towards the end of the 3rd century BC...
, great war against Rome (192-188 BCE) and heavy contribution which was imposed upon Seleucids
Seleucid Empire
The Seleucid Empire was a Greek-Macedonian state that was created out of the eastern conquests of Alexander the Great. At the height of its power, it included central Anatolia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, Persia, today's Turkmenistan, Pamir and parts of Pakistan.The Seleucid Empire was a major centre...
at Treaty of Apamea
Treaty of Apamea
The Treaty of Apamea of 188 BC, was peace treaty between the Roman Republic and Antiochus III , ruler of the Seleucid Empire. It took place after the Romans' victories in the battle of Thermopylae , in the Battle of Magnesia , and after Roman and Rhodian naval victories over the Seleucid navy.In...
. Syria might scarcely recovered sufficient military strength to enter upon a new struggle, especially with remote and powerful enemy.
Seleucus IV also may seemed that material interests of Seleucid Empire have been minorly affected by Parthian aggression, since Amard
Amard
The Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
i were too poor to provide much tribute, so Syria considered their subjection rather a formality than a fact. Therefore he allowed reduction of Amardians, probably conceiving that their transfer under Arsacid
Parthian Empire
The Parthian Empire , also known as the Arsacid Empire , was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Persia...
dominance would neither increase Parthian power nor diminished his own.
Campaign in Media Rhagiana
As Phraates faced no resistance from SeleucidsSeleucid Empire
The Seleucid Empire was a Greek-Macedonian state that was created out of the eastern conquests of Alexander the Great. At the height of its power, it included central Anatolia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, Persia, today's Turkmenistan, Pamir and parts of Pakistan.The Seleucid Empire was a major centre...
, when he robbed them of unproductive and valueless province and conquered the Amard
Amard
The Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
ians, expansionistic appetite in his eyes grew up and he resolved to append adjacent territory to his kingdom. This was the tract lying immediately to the West of the Caspian Gates
Gates of Alexander
The Gates of Alexander was a legendary barrier supposedly built by Alexander the Great in the Caucasus to keep the uncivilized barbarians of the north from invading the land to the south. The gates were a popular subject in medieval travel literature, starting with the Alexander Romance in a...
, which was traditionally reckoned to Media
Medes
The MedesThe Medes...
(Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
), forming distinct district known as Media Rhagiana. It was natural very fertile region, being watered by numerous mountain streams originating in Elburz range
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
, and possessing a soil of remarkable productiveness.
Its breadth was not great, since it consisted of a mere strip between the mountains and Great Salt Desert
Dasht-e Kavir
Dasht-e Kavir , also known as Kavir-e Namak or Great Salt Desert is a large desert lying in the middle of the Iranian plateau. It is about 800 kilometers long and 320 kilometers wide with a total surface area of about 77,600 square kilometers , making it the Earth's 23rd largest desert...
which occupies the whole centre of the Iranian plateau
Iranian plateau
The Iranian plateau, or Iranic plateau, is a geological formation in Southwest Asia. It is the part of the Eurasian Plate wedged between the Arabian and Indian plates, situated between the Zagros mountains to the west, the Caspian Sea and the Kopet Dag to the north, the Hormuz Strait and Persian...
, but it extended in length at least a hundred and fifty miles, from the Caspian Gates
Gates of Alexander
The Gates of Alexander was a legendary barrier supposedly built by Alexander the Great in the Caucasus to keep the uncivilized barbarians of the north from invading the land to the south. The gates were a popular subject in medieval travel literature, starting with the Alexander Romance in a...
to the vicinity of Qazwin
Qazvin
Qazvin is the largest city and capital of the Province of Qazvin in Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 349,821, in 96,420 families....
. Since remote antiquity its capital city was Rhages
Rey, Iran
Rey or Ray , also known as Rhages and formerly as Arsacia, is the capital of Rey County, Tehran Province, Iran, and is the oldest existing city in the province....
, situated near the eastern extremity of the strip, probably at the spot now called Kaleh Erij, about twenty-three miles from the Gates. It's clear enough that Phraates cast his covetous eye on this region. Seize of his conquest is doubtful, but with least certainty he established lodgment in its eastern extremity, which put whole region in jeopardy.
Nature has set a remarkable barrier between the more eastern and the more western portions of Occidental Asia, about midway in the tract which lies straightly south of the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
. The Elburz range
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
in this part is one of so tremendous a character, and northward adjoins so closely on Caspian Sea, forcing all communication between east and west inevitably to pass south of it. And south of Elbruz, Great Desert
Dasht-e Kavir
Dasht-e Kavir , also known as Kavir-e Namak or Great Salt Desert is a large desert lying in the middle of the Iranian plateau. It is about 800 kilometers long and 320 kilometers wide with a total surface area of about 77,600 square kilometers , making it the Earth's 23rd largest desert...
imposing itself as insuperable obstacle to transit, the line of communication has to cling to the flanks of the mountain flanks chain, thus leaving for traverse only the narrow strip between the mountains and the desert, which is rarely ten miles in width.
But about long. 52°20' E this strip itself fails and being replaced with rocky spur which runs due south 20–30 miles in distance from Elburz
Alborz
Alborz , also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
into Great Desert
Dasht-e Kavir
Dasht-e Kavir , also known as Kavir-e Namak or Great Salt Desert is a large desert lying in the middle of the Iranian plateau. It is about 800 kilometers long and 320 kilometers wide with a total surface area of about 77,600 square kilometers , making it the Earth's 23rd largest desert...
, breaking the line of communication and seeming at first sight to obstruct it completely.
The spur itself is penetrable by two notch, more difficult one where spur joins Elburz, and another further down to the south which now known as the Girduni Sudurrah pass, constitutes the famous “Pylae Caspiae”. Only through this passage armies can proceed from Armenia, Media, and Persia eastward, or from Turkestan, Khorasan, and Afghanistan into the more western parts of Asia.
Therefore, position of Girduni Sudurrah pass was of utmost importance, and for its protection Rhages
Rey, Iran
Rey or Ray , also known as Rhages and formerly as Arsacia, is the capital of Rey County, Tehran Province, Iran, and is the oldest existing city in the province....
was built so near eastern end of its territory. Parthian aggression was checked as long as Rhages remained in Seleucids
Seleucid Empire
The Seleucid Empire was a Greek-Macedonian state that was created out of the eastern conquests of Alexander the Great. At the height of its power, it included central Anatolia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, Persia, today's Turkmenistan, Pamir and parts of Pakistan.The Seleucid Empire was a major centre...
possession, and Rhagiana along with rest of Media, and the other provinces were safe. While the loss of it to Parthia practically represented immediate loss of all Rhagiana, which hadn't any other natural protection, and adjacent eastern provinces.
After Phraates surmounted the Gates
Gates of Alexander
The Gates of Alexander was a legendary barrier supposedly built by Alexander the Great in the Caucasus to keep the uncivilized barbarians of the north from invading the land to the south. The gates were a popular subject in medieval travel literature, starting with the Alexander Romance in a...
and established lodgment in the plain country beyond them, he resettle portion of Amard
Amard
The Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
ians from their mountain homes into city of Charax
Charax Spasinu
Charax Spasinu, or Charax Pasinu, Charax Spasinou , Alexandria , and Antiochia in Susiana was an ancient port at the head of the Persian Gulf, and the capital of the ancient kingdom of Characene.The exact location of Charax is unknown...
, western of the Gates, probably on the site now occupied by the ruins known as Uewanikif. Holding this strong he impose menace to neighboring Rhages, which could scarcely endure against enemy encamped at its doors.
We are not informed, however, of any results which followed on the occupation of Charax during the lifetime of Phraates. His reign lasted only seven years, from 181-174 BCE(?), and it is thus probable that he died before there was time for his second important conquest to have any further consequences.
Successor
Phraates had sufficient warning of his coming decease to make preparations with respect to a successor. Though he had several sons, some of whom were (we must suppose) of sufficient age to have ascended the throne, he left his crown to his brother, MithridatesMithridates I of Parthia
Mithridates or Mithradates I was the "Great King" of Parthia from ca. 171 BC - 138 BC, succeeding his brother Phraates I. His father was King Phriapatius of Parthia, who died ca. 176 BC). Mithridates I made Parthia into a major political power by expanding the empire to the east, south, and west...
.
He probably conceived that his kingdom
Parthian Empire
The Parthian Empire , also known as the Arsacid Empire , was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Persia...
require leadership of a firm ruler who could repel either Syrian or Bactrian aggression at any time, and also trust him better than any of his sons to conduct aggressive expeditions with combined vigor and forethought if Parthia pursue the path of conquest, which it entered upon during his reign. We shall see, as the history proceeds, how Mithridates justified his choice.
It also appears that Phraates have borne special affection toward Mithridates, since he takes name of “Philadelphus” (transl. brother-loving) upon his coins. It must have been huge satisfaction to him that he was instantly able by his last act to consult for the good of his country, and to gratify his sentiment on which, evidently, he prided himself.