User:Kansas Bear/Parthia 91-61
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Parthian dynastic war c. 93bce - 61 bce,
Dynastic conflict
Mithridates versus Sinatruces
Following Mithridates II's victory over the Tocharians, he alienated Parthian families in the eastern provinces of the empire by favouring western Parthian families.[1] The eastern Parthian families threw their support behind Sinatruces, son of King Mithridates I and brother to King Phraates II.[1] Sinatruces gained control over the eastern Parthian territories, took Media, and marched into Susiana by 93/92bce. Mithridates II, backed by the western Parthian families, marched against Sinatruces, but died in 91bce.[2][a]
Gotarzes versus Sinatruces
Gotarzes I succeeded to the Parthian throne after his father, Mithridates II, died in 91bce.[4] Gotarzes I, supported by the western Parthian families, orchestrated his campaign against Sinatruces throughout Babylon and Susiana.[2][3] It would take until 87bce, for Gotarzes to defeat Sinatruces, recover the eastern provinces, and send him into exile.[3] Gotarzes' reign abruptly ended with his death the same year, which allowed his brother Orodes I to temporarily become king.
Orodes I versus Mithridates III
The reign of Mithridates III was harsh and turbulent.[3] Philip I Philadelphus became the vassal ruler of Antioch after Mithridates' generals overthrew the Seleucid monarch Demetrius III Eucaerus.[3] However, by the middle and late 80s, Tigranes the Great, King of Armenia, took a number of western territories.[3] With the assistance of a group of western families, Orodes I was able to take control of most of Babylonia in 80bce due to Mithridates' weaken position.[3] Mithridates and Orodes seem to have fought over Babylonia for several months before Mithridates fled to the eastern regions and perished.[3] Sinatruces exploited the conflict between Mithradates and Orodes in the West and declared himself king, while residing in the eastern provinces.[5][3]
Orodes I versus Arsaces XVI
Despite removing Mithridates and restoring the eastern provinces, Orodes faced a rebellion by Arsaces XVI, possibly the son of Mithridates II, who had occupied Susa in 78/77bce.[6] Allied with Kamnaskires III, king of Elymais, Arsaces was able to occupy the eastern provinces and defeated and killed Orodes near Babylonia in 75bce.[6]
Arsaces XVI versus Phraates III
Sinatruces died in 68bce and his son Phraates, succeeding to his cause, struck through northern Iran, attacked Babylonia, and drove Arsaces out of the western provinces. By this time, Armenia weakened by Roman intervention, allowed Phraates to recover northern Mesopotamia and Media Atropatene.[6] Phraates campaigned through the eastern provinces, removing the last vestiges of support for Arsaces c. 62/61 bce.[6]