Artabanus III of Parthia

Artabanus III 𐭍𐭐𐭕𐭓
Coin of Artabanus III, minted at Seleucia in 80/1.
King of the Parthian Empire
Reign	79/80 – 81
Predecessor	Pacorus II
Successor	Pacorus II
Died	81
Father	Vologases I
Religion	Zoroastrianism

Artabanus III (Parthian: 𐭍𐭐𐭕𐭓 Ardawān), incorrectly known in older scholarship as Artabanus IV,^[1] was a Parthian prince who competed against his brother Pacorus II (r. 78–110) for the Parthian crown from 79/80 to 81.^[1] Artabanus III's claim to the throne seems to have little support in the Parthian Empire, with the exception of Babylonia.^[1] Artabanus III's most notable action was to give refuge to a Pseudo-Nero named Terentius Maximus.^[2][1] Artabanus III initially agreed to lend military aid to Terentius Maximus to capture Rome, until he found about the real identity of the impostor.^[2] Coin mints of Artabanus III disappear after 81, which suggests that Pacorus II had defeated him.^[1]

References

Sources

• Kia, Mehrdad (2016). The Persian Empire: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1610693912. (2 volumes)
• Schippmann, K. (1986). "Artabanus (Arsacid kings)". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. II, Fasc. 6. pp. 647–650.