Gotarzes II

Gotarzes II
𐭂𐭅𐭕𐭓𐭆
King of Kings
Gotarzes II's portrait on the obverse of a tetradrachm, minted in 49
King of the Parthian Empire
Reign40 – 51
PredecessorVardanes I
SuccessorVonones II
Died51
DynastyArsacid dynasty
FatherGev (biological)
Artabanus II (adoptive)
ReligionZoroastrianism

Gotarzes II (Parthian: 𐭂𐭅𐭕𐭓𐭆 Gōtarz) was king of the Parthian Empire from 40 to 51. He was an adopted son of Artabanus II. When his father died in 40, his brother Vardanes I was to succeed to the throne. However, the throne was seized by Gotarzes II. Gotarzes II eventually was able to gain control of most of Parthia forcing Vardanes to flee to Bactria. With the death of Vardanes in c. 46, Gotarzes II ruled the Parthian Empire until his death. Gotarzes II was succeeded by his uncle Vonones II.