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Gotarzes II coin
Gotarzes II, coin, 1st century ad
Gotarzes II
king of Parthia
Also known as: Godarz II
Gotarzes II (died ad 51) was the king of Parthia (reigned c. ad 38–51).
Gotarzes killed his brother Artabanus, but a second brother, Vardanes, was able to expel him to the province of Hyrcania. Although fear of the nobles reconciled the two for a time, they soon renewed their fighting, which continued until Vardanes’ murder (c. 47). Thereafter Gotarzes ruled unopposed. Later, another rival, the Roman nominee Meherdates, was defeated near Karafto in Kurdistan. Not long afterward, however, Gotarzes died either by assassination or of disease.
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