| Artabanus III 𐭍𐭐𐭕𐭓 | |
|---|---|
,_Seleucia_mint.jpg) 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]