| Vonones II | |
|---|---|
| King of Kings | |
 Coin of Vonones II | |
| King ofMedia Atropatene | |
| Reign | 11 – 51 |
| Predecessor | Artabanus II |
| Successor | Pacorus |
| King of theParthian Empire | |
| Reign | 51 |
| Predecessor | Gotarzes II |
| Successor | Vologases I |
| Died | 51 AD |
| Spouse | “Greek concubine” (paelex Graeca), mother of king Vologases I[1] |
| Issue | Vologases I Pacorus Tiridates I of Armenia |
| Dynasty | Arsacid dynasty |
| Father | Dahae orAtropatid prince |
| Mother | unnamed daughter ofPhraates IV |
| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
Vonones II (died 51 AD) was aParthian prince who ruled as king ofMedia Atropatene and briefly as king of theParthian Empire.
Vonones was not from the ruling branch of the Arsacid royal family. His father has been variously identified as being a member of theAtropatid dynasty,[2] or as aDahae prince descended from the former Arsacid monarchMithridates II (r. 124–88 BC).[3][4] Vonones II's mother was a daughter of the ArsacidKing of KingsPhraates IV (r. 37–2 BC).[4] His brother was the Parthian KingArtabanus II.[3]
From about 11 AD until 51 AD, Vonones II ruled as king ofMedia Atropatene,[5][6] a period about which little is known.
After the death of his nephew Gotarzes II, Vonones II became king of the Parthian Empire in 51 AD. However, he died a few months into his reign and was succeeded by his son,Vologases I. Tacitus wrote that Vonones II “knew neither success nor failure which have deserved to be remembered to him. It was a short and inglorious reign”.[5]
Vonones II had 3 sons who, respectively, held the thrones of Parthia, Media Atropatene and Armenia:Pacorus,[7]Vologases I,[5] andTiridates I.[8]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)Vonones II Died: 51 | ||
| Preceded by | King of the Parthian Empire 51 | Succeeded by |