General Notes

[2280151.ged]
Death: in 2 BC [poisoned by Musa] 1
Event: Ancestor M
Event: Ruled 37 - 2 BC, King of Parthia 1
Note:
Phraates IV (d. 2 BC), king of Parthia (reigned c. 37-2 BC) who murdered
his father, Orodes II, and his brothers to secure the throne.
In 36 the Romans under Mark Antony attacked Parthia, penetrating through
Armenia into Media Atropatene. Phraates, however, defeated Antony, who
retreated with heavy losses. In 34 Phraates' vassal king in Media made an
alliance with Antony; but when Antony later withdrew, the Parthians
reoccupied Media. A revolt soon broke out in Parthia, and Tiridates II of
Armenia drove Phraates from the throne, forcing him to take refuge with
the Shaka nomads. In 30, however, Phraates was able to regain power, and
Tiridates fled to the Romans with the son of Phraates as a hostage.
The emperor Augustus made peace with Phraates and returned his son.
Armenia and Osroëne were recognized as Roman dependencies. Augustus also
sent Phraates an Italian concubine named Musa. On her advice, Phraates
sent four of his sons to Rome, where they remained as hostages of
Augustus. Phraates was later poisoned by Musa, who then ruled jointly
with her son Phraates V.