Vardanes

king of Parthia

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July 14, 2026

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Vardanes was a king of Parthia who reigned around 40-47 CE. He was the brother of Gotarzes II, another Parthian king. Vardanes expelled Gotarzes to Hyrcania, but their conflict continued until Vardanes was murdered. Vardanes II, son of Vologeses I, also usurped the throne during his father's reign. Parthia itself was an ancient region in Iran that became a vast empire from 247 BCE to 224 CE. The empire controlled major trade routes and wealth, but its decentralized structure led to internal struggles and external threats.123

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Gotarzes II
…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,…
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…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,…
Read More