Editing Mithridates II of Parthia (section)

== Imperial ideology and Coinage ==
[[Image:Tetradrachm of Mithridates II of Parthia, minted at Seleucia between 120 and 109 BC.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tetradrachm]] of Mithridates II, [[Seleucia]] mint]]
Since the early 2nd-century BC, the Arsacids had begun adding obvious signals in their dynastic ideology, which emphasized their association with the heritage of the ancient [[Achaemenid Empire]]. Examples of these signs included a fictitious claim that the first Arsacid king, [[Arsaces I of Parthia|Arsaces I]] ({{reign|247|217 BC}}) was a descendant of the Achaemenid [[King of Kings]], [[Artaxerxes II of Persia|Artaxerxes II]] ({{reign|404|358 BC}}).{{sfn|Dąbrowa|2012|p=179}} Achaemenid titles were also assumed by the Arsacids, including the title of "King of Kings" by [[Mithridates I of Parthia|Mithridates I]] ({{reign|171|132 BC}}). However, the title was only infrequently used by Mithridates I, and it was first under Mithridates II, from c. 109/8 BC onwards, that the use of the title became a regular feature.{{sfn|Dąbrowa|2012|p=179}}{{sfn|Schippmann|1986|pp=525–536}} The new title was used both on coins and engravings (attested in Greek as BAΣIΛEΥΣ BAΣIΛEΩN), and also Babylonian accounts, where it is attested as ''šar šarrāni''.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|p=165}} Mithridates II was more determined than his predecessors as heir and guardian of Achaemenid heritage.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|p=165}}
[[Image:Coin of Mithridates II of Parthia (obverse and reverse, wearing a diadem), Ray mint.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ancient drachma|Drachm]] of Mithridates II wearing a [[diadem]]]]
[[Image:Coin of Mithridates II of Parthia (obverse and reverse), Ray mint.jpg|thumb|Drachm of Mithridates II wearing a [[tiara]], minted at [[Rhages]] between 96-92 BC]]
At the start of his reign, Mithridates II briefly used the Greek title ''Soter'' ("Saviour"), which was used on his coin mints in [[Ecbatana]] and [[Rhages]].{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=29}} The reason behind his use of the title is uncertain. Olbrycht (2010) has proposed that he adopted the title due to his victory over the nomads, while Grenet (2006) has proposed that ''Soter'' could be seen as a Mithraic title from an Iranian point of view, in connection to Mithra's role as a saviour in Zoroastrianism.{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=29}}
[[Image:Coin of Ardashir I, minted in Hamadan.jpg|thumb|left|Drachm of the [[Sasanian]] king [[Ardashir I]] ({{reign|224|242|era=AD}}) wearing the same type of tiara used by Mithridates II]]
The early Arsacid monarchs are depicted on the obverse of their coins with a soft cap, known as the ''[[bashlyk]]'', which had also been worn by Achaemenid [[satrap]]s.{{sfn|Dąbrowa|2012|p=179}} From Mithridates I, the Hellenistic [[diadem]] was used by the Arsacid kings. The diadem was also used during the early reign of Mithridates II, until he later started using a tall bejewelled [[tiara]] or ''kolah'' (tall hat).<ref>{{harvnb|Dąbrowa|2012|p=179}}; {{harvnb|Frye|1984|p=217}}; {{harvnb|Curtis|2019|p=27}}</ref> The tiara was of [[Media (region)|Median]] origin; in the Achaemenid era, high ranking Median officers wore a tall, domed headdress, which was part of the Median national dress.{{sfn|Olbrycht|1997|p=40}} Media, a region in central Iran which neighboured Parthia, was an important part of the Parthian realm under Mithridates II.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|p=155}}

According to Justin, the [[Parthian language]] shared many features with [[Median language|Median]].{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|p=155}} The Parthians admired Median customs,{{sfn|Olbrycht|1997|p=40}} and seemingly got familiar with Achaemenid heritage through Media.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|p=155}} The tiara would be used by many Parthian kings, particularly in the late Parthian period.<ref>{{harvnb|Brosius|2006|pp=101–102}}; {{harvnb|Curtis|2007|p=15}}</ref> This type of tiara was also later used by the vassal kings of the Parthians, such as the [[Kings of Persis]].{{sfn|Dąbrowa|2012|p=179}}{{sfn|Sellwood|1983|p=304}} The founder of the [[Sasanian Empire]], [[Ardashir I]] ({{reign|224|242|era=AD}}), also used this tiara.{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=28}} Like Artabanus I, Mithridates II is depicted on the obverse of his coins wearing an Iranian rider garb—the [[Parthian dress|Parthian trouser-suit]].{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=27}}

The reverse of Mithridates II's coin mints also see a major chance during his reign. Since the start of the Arsacid dynasty, the reverse of the coins had depicted a seated bowman wearing a ''[[bashlyk]]'', which greatly resembled the coins of the Achaemenid satrap [[Datames]] (d. 362 BC).{{sfn|Curtis|2012|p=68}}{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=28}} The bowman was originally depicted seated on a ''[[diphros]]'', however, under Mithridates I this was changed to an ''[[omphalos]]''.{{sfn|Curtis|2012|pp=68–69}}{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=28}} [[Tetradrachm]]s minted at Seleucia and Susa under Mithridates II, including his early coin mints from central Iran and [[Merv|Marw]] in Margiana, maintained the same style.{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=28}} However, on the coins minted in Ecbatana and Rhages, a tail-like piece of fabric has been added on the back of the bowman.{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=28}} In 117–111 BC, the ''omphalos'' was replaced by a highbacked throne, which was originally used in the Achaemenid era.{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=28}} The long piece of fabric has also been removed.{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=28}} During military assemblies and campaigns, a horse or [[gorytos]] was depicted on the reverse of his coins.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2009|p=151}}