| Priapatius 𐭐𐭓𐭉𐭐𐭕 | |
|---|---|
| Arsaces | |
 Coin of Priapatius,Hekatompylos mint | |
| King of theArsacid dynasty | |
| Reign | 191–176 BC |
| Predecessor | Arsaces II |
| Successor | Phraates I |
| Died | 176 BC |
| Issue | Phraates I Mithridates I Artabanus I Bagasis |
| Dynasty | Arsacid dynasty |
| Father | Nephew ofArsaces I |
| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
Priapatius (also spelledPhriapatius orPhriapites;Parthian:𐭐𐭓𐭉𐭐𐭕,romanized: Friyapat), was theArsacid king ofParthia from 191 BC to 176 BC. He was the first-cousin-once-removed and successor ofArsaces II (r. 217 – 191 BC). Like many Arsacid monarchs, his reign is sparsely known. His coinage indicates that he managed to rid himself of the influence of theSeleucid Empire. He was succeeded by his sonPhraates I.
According to the modern historianMehrdad Kia, Priapatius was most likely the son of his predecessor,Arsaces II (r. 217 – 191 BC), who was in turn the son ofArsaces I (r. 247 – 217 BC), the founder of the dynasty.[1] However, this is unlikely, as newly found contemporary Parthianostracons call him a son of the nephew of Arsaces I.[2] Efforts have been made by scholars to reconstruct the early genealogy of the Arsacids, which calls Priapatius the grandson ofTiridates, the brother of Arsaces.[3] However, numismatic data and recent analysis of sources have led to the conclusion that the character of Tiridates is fictional.[4]
Regardless of his precise ancestry, Priapatius succeeded Arsaces II in 191 BC.[5] Like many Arsacid rulers, not much is known about Priapatius.[5] His coinage in terms of style followed the same model as that of his predecessors.[6] The obverse shows a beardless portrait of him wearing a soft cap (kyrbasia), whilst the reverse shows him carrying a bow.[6] However, changes to the titulary were made on the coinage: theGreek title ofBAΣΙΛΕΩΣ (Basileus) was for the first time added and made regular on his coinage, and the titleΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ (Great) was also added.[6]
The adoption of these titles were most likely associated with the Arsacid reconquest of the lands lost to theSeleucid kingAntiochus III the Great (r. 222 – 187 BC), who had in 210 BC made a large-scale expedition in the east, includingHyrcania.[6] There, he possibly compelled Arsaces II to abandon his right to mint coins freely.[6] Afterwards, however, the fragility of the Seleucid Empire gave Arsaces II and later Priapatius the opportunity to resume having their coins minted freely.[6] Like the rest of the Arsacid kings, Priapatius used the title ofArsaces on his coinage, which was the name of the first Arsacid rulerArsaces I (r. 247 – 217 BC), which had become a royal honorific among the Arsacid monarchs out of admiration for his achievements.[4][7]
Priapatius was the father of three Arsacid kings,Phraates I (r. 176 – 171 BC), who was his oldest son and successor,Mithridates I (r. 171 – 132 BC), andArtabanus I (r. 127 – 124 BC).[8]
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Priapatius Died: 176 BC | ||
| Preceded by | King of Parthia 191–176 BC | Succeeded by |
