Phraates IV
Phraates IV was a king of the Parthian Empire who reigned from approximately 38-37 BCE until his assassination around 30 BCE. His rise to power was marked by violent acts, including the murder of his father, Orodes II, as well as several family members and rivals, which secured his position within the Arsacid royal dynasty. During his reign, Phraates IV faced significant military challenges, notably from the Roman general Marc Antony, who sought to avenge previous Roman defeats against the Parthians. In 36 BCE, Phraates successfully repelled Antony's invasion by utilizing his cavalry to disrupt the Roman forces, resulting in the destruction of two Roman legions.
Despite this initial success, Phraates’ reign was complicated by internal strife, notably a revolt in 32 BCE led by Tiridates II of Armenia. This conflict forced Phraates to seek refuge with the Scythians, although he later managed to reclaim the throne. His rule ultimately ended when he was assassinated by Musa, a concubine, in collaboration with their son, Phraates V, ensuring the continuation of the Arsacid lineage. Phraates IV's tumultuous reign reflects the complexities of power dynamics in the ancient Near East, emphasizing themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the constant struggle for dominance between empires.
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Phraates IV
- Born: Unknown
- Birthplace: Unknown
- Died: 3-2 b.c.e.
- Place of death: Unknown
Also known as: Arsaces XV
Principal battle: Media Atropatene (36 b.c.e.)
Military significance: In 36 b.c.e., at Media Atropatene, the Parthians, under the leadership of Phraates, defeated the Roman army as it attempted to invade Parthia. For the next 150 years, Rome and Parthia abstained from attacking each other directly.
By murdering his father Orodes II, along with princes, nobles, his brothers, and his eldest son, Phraates IV secured his succession in the Aracid royal dynasty, becoming king of Parthia in 38-37 b.c.e. In the spring of 36, Marc Antony intended to carry out the revenge Julius Caesar had planned against the Parthians for defeating the Romans and killing legate Publius Crassus at a battle near Carrhae in 53 b.c.e. Caesar was assassinated in 44 b.c.e., so the responsibility of retaliating became Antony’s.
Antony brought the Romans to Armenia. From there, he planned to pass through Media Atropatene and invade Parthia from the north. After they penetrated Media Atropatene (36 b.c.e.), Phraates’ cavalry foiled the plan by attacking the rear of the Roman army. It destroyed two Roman legions, forcing Antony and his devastated army to retreat to the mountains of Armenia and eventually back to Syria. In 34 b.c.e., Antony threatened Parthia again by establishing a favorable king in Armenia, by moving troops there, and by gaining the backing of Media Atropatene. However, a power struggle with Octavian (later Augustus) led him to abandon plans for war with Parthia and withdraw his army from Armenia, while Media Atropatene returned to Parthian vassalage.
Revolt broke out in Parthia about 32 b.c.e., and Tiridates II of Armenia successfully contested the throne, forcing Phraates to seek refuge with the Scythians. Phraates was able to regain the kingship about 30 b.c.e. and retained it until he was assassinated by his concubine Musa, who conspired with their son, Phraates V, to secure his succession to the throne.
Bibliography
Campbell, Brian. “War and Diplomacy: Rome and Parthia, 31 b.c.-a.d. 235.” In War and Society in the Roman World, edited by John Rich and Graham Shipley. New York: Routledge, 1993.
Colledge, Malcolm A. R. The Parthians. London: Thames and Hudson, 1967.
Debevoise, Neilson C. A Political History of Parthia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1938.
Kennedy, David L. “Parthia and Rome: Eastern Perspectives.” In The Roman Army in the East, edited by David L. Kennedy. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Cushing-Malloy, 1996.