PARTHIAN KINGS Orodes II, 57–38 BC AR Drachm, Kangavar Mint Diameter: 22 mm Weight: 3.52 g Reference: Sellwood 46.15 ________________________________________ Obverse: Short-bearded bust of Orodes II facing left, wearing diadem and pellet-ended torque; crescent behind; circular border of pellets. Reverse: Beardless archer (Arsakes) seated right on throne, wearing bashlyk and cloak, holding bow in right hand. Greek letter Κ (for Kangavar) below bow. Seven-line Greek legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ “Of the King of Kings Arsaces, the Benefactor, the Just, the Illustrious, Friend of the Greeks.” No border. ________________________________________ Historical Background: Orodes II ruled the Parthian Empire during a volatile and militarily active period in the late Hellenistic world. After seizing the throne by overthrowing his brother Mithridates IV, his early reign was marred by civil conflict, but he soon stabilized his rule and achieved one of Parthia’s most famous military victories. In 53 BC, Orodes’ general Surena decisively defeated the Roman triumvir Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae, a catastrophic loss for Rome that cemented Parthia's reputation as a formidable power in the East. This battle not only checked Roman expansion but also marked the beginning of centuries of rivalry between Rome and Parthia. The mint of Kangavar, located in western Iran near modern-day Hamadan, was one of several regional mints active during Orodes' reign. Its strategic position along trade routes made it an important administrative and military center for the Parthians. The Greek legend on the reverse reflects lingering Hellenistic influences in Parthian political culture, long after Greek control had faded. Despite Parthia's Iranian roots, Greek remained the language of prestige on coinage, and rulers continued to use the dynastic name "Arsaces" to emphasize continuity with the founding monarch. The image of the seated archer, a hallmark of Parthian silver coinage, symbolizes both royal authority and cultural identity. The bashlyk (a soft, pointed hood) and the bow evoke the nomadic and military heritage of the Parthians, originally a tribe from Central Asia who overthrew the Seleucids in the 3rd century BC.