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...