Mithridates II of Parthia

Mithridates II the Great was king of Parthian Empire from 123 to 88 BCE.

His name invokes the protection of Mithra.

He adopts the title Epiphanes, "god manifest" and introduces new designs on his extensive coinage.

Parthia reaches its greatest extent during his reign.

He saves the kingdom from the Saka tribes, who have occupied Bactria and the east of Iran and killed two of his predecessors in battle.

Mithridates II extends the limits of the empire, according to the 3rd century Roman historian Junianus Justinus who tends to confuse him with Mithridates III, under whom Parthia received severe setbacks.

He defeats King Artavasdes I of Armenia and conquers seventy valleys, making the heir to the Armenian throne, prince Tigranes, a political hostage.

In 123 BCE and 115 BCE he receives Chinese ambassadors sent by the Han emperor Wu Di to reopen the Silk Road through negotiations.

His later coins show him bearded, wearing the high domed Parthian crown applied with a star.

He also interfered in the wars of the dynasts of Syria.

He is the first Parthian king who enters into negotiations with Rome, then represented by Lucius Cornelius Sulla, praetor of Cilicia in 92 BCE.

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