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Coin of Mithridates I of Parthia (Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. and Relief of Mithridates I at Xong-e Ashdar in Izeh, Khuzestān ;Deriv.

Mithridates Stalks His Prey, and Strikes a Killing Blow: The ‘King of Kings’ of Ancient Iran

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Mithridates exhibited qualities that most kings rarely have: experience and maturity. Even Phraates passed over his own sons for his qualified brother to be next in line. Mithridates I (r. 171-138 BCE), like Phraates, Mithridates understood that a king could retain his power only as long as the people and nobles were treated fairly. To abuse such power at the expense of his subjects would be devastating. What is certain is that Mithridates, King of the Parthian Empire, was a leader who left a legacy of conquests—starting with Bactria.

Mithridates effectively picked up where his brother Phraates left off. He undoubtedly inherited a kingdom that was solid and sound in both its economic and military apparatus. Mithridates took the foundation established by Arsaces and turned it into an empire. He marched east, gobbling up lands and kingdoms, such as Bactria, and continued until Parthia’s border touched India. Afterwards, he turned his attention toward Mesopotamia and conquered it with ease. His achievements consolidated the future of Parthia’s power for centuries to come.

Roman, Seleucid, and Parthian Empires in 200 BC

Roman, Seleucid, and Parthian Empires in 200 BC (Talessman/CC BY-SA 3.0)

A Target Ripe for the Picking

Mithridates’ invasion of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom took place sometime between 171-165 BCE, after the Greco-Bactrians had overextended their borders due to constant warring with their neighbors. Roman historian Justin states:

“Almost at the same time that Mithridates ascended the throne among the Parthians, Eucratides began to reign among the Bactrians; both of them being great men. But the fortune of the Parthians, being the more successful, raised them, under this prince, to the highest degree of power; while the Bactrians, harassed with various wars, lost not only their dominions, but their liberty; for having suffered from contentions with the Sogdians, the Arachosians, the Drancae, the Arei and the Indians, they were at last overcome, as if exhausted, by the weaker Parthians.”

Justin’s passage also points out that the Parthians were the weaker of the two. However, looks can be deceiving. Parthia was indeed weaker, but Greco-Bactria had overextended its military operations towards the south and east. To make matters worse, the Greco-Bactrian kingdom became even weaker when a coup d'état orchestrated by Eucratides successfully overthrew the Euthydemids dynasty in Bactria.

Gold 20-stater of Eucratides, the largest gold coin ever minted in Antiquity. The coin weighs 169.2 grams, and has a diameter of 58 millimeters. It was originally found in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, and later acquired by Napoleon III.

Gold 20-stater of Eucratides, the largest gold coin ever minted in Antiquity. The coin weighs 169.2 grams, and has a diameter of 58 millimeters. It was originally found in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, and later acquired by Napoleon III.  (Gallica/Public Domain)

Eucratides’ Blind Spot

Eucratides’ takeover divided Greco-Bactria considerably and eliminated it from being a major power. Justin mentions, “the Sogdians, the Arachosians, the Drancae, the Arei” all revolted due to Eucratides’ power grab. The Greco-Bactrians were strong, but the division caused by Eucratides invited Mithridates in.

Eucratides further weakened his state, for Justin also states that the king had a number of wars going on even before he fell from power:

“Eucratides, however, carried on several wars with great spirit, and though much reduced by his losses in them, yet, when he was besieged by Demetrius king of the Indians, with a garrison of only three hundred soldiers, he repulsed, by continual sallies, a force of sixty thousand enemies. Having accordingly escaped, after a five months' siege, he reduced India under his power.”

Eucratides, fighting with others to fill his coffers, conducted several wars, possibly more. But these wars took place over a long period of time during his reign. He was focused on securing not only his domain but expanding his borders toward the south and east. However, Eucratides neglected to secure his western borders.

Mithridates took advantage of Eucratides’ blind spot by using spies to gather intelligence on Bactria before he launched an attack. However, Mithridates had another stroke of luck when “the Sogdians, the Arachosians, the Drancae, the Arei” revolted against Bactria, as told by Justin. This revolt against Bactrian rule was Mithridates’ wild card, which placed maximum pressure on Greco-Bactria, and it seems to have paid off. Eucratides’ folly was Mithridates’ gain…

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Cam Rea is an author and military historian. He has written numerous articles for Ancient Origins, Classical Wisdom Weekly, and has authored several books, including: Leviathan vs. Behemoth: The Roman-Parthian Wars 66 BC-217 AD

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Top Image: Coin of Mithridates I of Parthia (Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com/CC BY-SA 3.0) and Relief of Mithridates I at Xong-e Ashdar in Izeh, Khuzestān (Pentocelo/CC BY-SA 3.0);Deriv.

By Cam Rea

 
Cam Rea's picture

Cam Rea

Cam Rea is a Military Historian and currently the Associate Editor/Writer at Strategy & Tactics Press. Mr. Rea has published several books and written numerous articles for Strategy & Tactics Press and Classical Wisdom Weekly. His most current publication is... Read More

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