Frataraka

Bagadates, Frataraka ruler
Portrait of Bagadates, 3rd c.BCE. The headgear is a combination of a satrapal tiara, and the Hellenistic diadem of a ruler.[1]
Bagadates enthroned, wearing long cloak and kyrbasia, holding sceptre and cup. Achaemenid standard to left.[2][3]
Map of Persis

Frataraka (Aramaic: Prtkr’𐡐𐡓𐡕𐡊𐡓’, "governor", or more specifically "sub-satrapal governor")[4][5] is an ancient Persian title, interpreted variously as “leader, governor, forerunner”.[6] It is an epithet or title of a series of rulers in Persis from 3rd to mid 2nd century BC, or alternatively between 295 and 220 BC,[7] at the time of the Seleucid Empire, prior to the Parthian conquest of West Asia and Iran. Studies of frataraka coins are important to historians of this period.[8]

  1. ^ A History of Zoroastrianism vol II & III. p. 112.
  2. ^ Ashmore, Harry S. (1961). Encyclopaedia Britannica: a new survey of universal knowledge. Encyclopaedia Britannica. p. 603.
  3. ^ Lukonin, Vladimir; Ivanov, Anatoly (2015). Persian Art. Parkstone International. p. 197. ISBN 9781783107964.
  4. ^ A History of Zoroastrianism vol II & III. pp. 110–116.
  5. ^ Engels, David. Iranian Identity and Seleucid Allegiance; Vahbarz, the Frataraka and Early Arsacid Coinage, in: K. Erickson (ed.), The Seleukid Empire, 281-222 BC. War within the Family, Swansea, 2018, 173-196.
  6. ^ "Frataraka". Encyclopædia Iranica. Columbia University. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  7. ^ CNG: KINGS of PERSIS. Artaxsir (Artaxerxes) I. Early 3rd century BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.15 gm, 4h). Susa mint.
  8. ^ Curtis, Vesta Sarkhosh (2010). "The Frakarak Coins of Persia: Bridging the Gap between Achaemenid and Sasanian Persia". In Curtis, John; Simpson, St. John (eds.). The world of Achaemenid Persia history, art and society in Iran and the ancient Near East. London: I.B. Tauris. pp. 379–396. ISBN 9780857718013. Retrieved 23 September 2017.