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Odalisque by Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant (1882) (Public Domain)

Divine Queen Thea Musa, The Parthian Basilíssa

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The victory of the Parthians over the Roman General Marcus Licinius Crassus at Carrhae in 53 BC is perhaps the single most significant event in Rome's engagement with Parthia. The loss of Roman standards associated with Crassus' campaign in 53 BC was not only embarrassing, but also perilous for the Romans, who were concerned that any hint of military weakness would instil confidence in their adversary, to the detriment of Rome. The memory of this disaster became Rome's obsession and served as the impetus for a number of subsequent Roman invasions.

Detail from the breastplate of Augustus Prima Porta, showing a Parthian man returning the aquila lost by Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae ( Andreas Wahra/ CC BY-SA 3.0)

Detail from the breastplate of Augustus Prima Porta, showing a Parthian man returning the aquila lost by Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae ( Andreas Wahra/ CC BY-SA 3.0)

Imperial Reputation

Emperor Augustus' main purpose in the East was focussed on restoring Rome’s reputation in Parthia, even if it meant fighting the Parthians. As a result, his subsequent achievement in restoring Parthian norms may be the greatest significant triumph of Augustus’ foreign policy. This triumph was then heavily used in Imperial propaganda, as well as Augustus' own Res Gestae. Augustus proudly speaks of his subjugation of Parthia in Res Gestae 29 as he writes, “ I compelled the Parthians to restore the spoils and standards of three Roman armies to me, and to seek as suppliants the friendship of the Roman people.” The recovered standards were temporarily held in a temple on the Capitoline Hill before being consecrated in 2 BC at Augustus' newly-erected temple of Mars Ultor in the Augustan Forum. The consecration of this temple was celebrated with the re-enactment, called a naumachia, of the great naval wars of Actium (Augustus against Anthony) and Salamis (Greeks against Persians). The Augustan forum's sculptural program confirmed the triumphal theme's significance as marble statues of Republican victorious generals adorned its porticoes and Augustus' victories were commemorated at the most prominent place, the center of the forum. 

Naumachia an imaginative recreation by Ulpiano Checa, (1894) (Public Domain)

Naumachia an imaginative recreation by Ulpiano Checa, (1894) (Public Domain)

The Parthian Perspective

The Parthians returned the standards out of dread of Roman military might, according to Augustan propaganda. However, while a kneeling Parthian appears on Augustus' coins, no such act of submission actually occurred.  The throne of King Phraates IV of the Parthian Empire was usurped by Tiridates II. After Phraates quickly re-established his rule, Tiridates fled to the Romans taking one of Phraates IV's sons with him.

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Martini Fisher is an Ancient Historian and author of many books, including ”Horatio’s World”  | Check out MartiniFisher.com

Top Image: Odalisque by Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant (1882) (Public Domain)

By  Martini Fisher

 
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Martini

Martini Fisher comes from a family of history and culture buffs. She graduated from Macquarie University, Australia, with a degree in Ancient History. Although her interest in history is diverse, Martini is especially interested in  mythologies, folklores and ancient funerary... Read More

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