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Parthian Kingdom, Gotarzes II, 40 - 51 A.D.
Gotarzes II ruled as the Parthian king intermittently between 40 and 51 A.D. When his brother Vardanes I succeeded to the throne, Gotarzes II rebelled. He went to Hyrcania and gathered an army from Dahae nomads. War between the two kings was ended by a treaty. Gotarzes II returned to Hyrcania, but when Vardanes I was killed in about 47, Gotarzes II was acknowledged as king of the whole empire. He then added to his coins the usual Parthian titles, king of kings Arsaces the benefactor, the just, the illustrious (Epiphanes), and the friend of the Hellenes (Philhellenes). Gotarzes II was detested for his cruelty. Among many other murders, he even slew his brother Artabanus and his whole family. His cruelty prompted a request to the Roman emperor Claudius to release from Rome an Arsacid prince, Meherdates, who lived there as a hostage. Meherdates crossed the Euphrates in 49 but was beaten and taken prisoner by Gotarzes II, who cut off his ears. Soon afterward Gotarzes II died, according to Tacitus of an illness; Josephus says that he was murdered. His last coin is dated June 51 A.D.SL70892. Silver tetradrachm, Sellwood 65.14, Cohen DCA 631, Shore -, Sunrise -, NGC Ch VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5 (2490208-002), Seleukeia mint, weight 14.49g, maximum diameter 26.8mm, die axis 45o, May 46 A.D.; obverse bearded, diademed and cuirassed bust left; reverse BACIΛEWC BACIΛEWN APCAKOY EYEPΓATO ΔIKAIOY EΠIΦANOY ΦIΛEΛΛHNOΣ, king enthroned left, receiving wreath from Tyche standing left holding cornucopia, HNT (Seleucid Era year 358) above, ΔAIΣIOΣ (Parthian month = May) below; ex Forum (2014), ex Dr. Sam Mansourati Collection, ex CNG auction 317, lot 140; NGC| Lookup; SOLD
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