Artabanus III of Parthia

Artabanus III
𐭍𐭐𐭕𐭓
Coin of Artabanus III, minted at Seleucia in 80/1.
King of the Parthian Empire
Reign79/80 – 81
PredecessorPacorus II
SuccessorPacorus II
Died81
FatherVologases I
ReligionZoroastrianism

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]

  1. ^ a b c d e Schippmann 1986, pp. 647–650.
  2. ^ a b Kia 2016, p. 179.