The Political-Military Strategy of Artabanos/Ardawān II in AD 34–37

Abstract

Artabanos (in Parthian Ardawān) II, king of Parthia, has had quite a number of studies devoted to him, but in spite of this his achievements and assessment still arouse controversy. Germanicus’ intervention in Armenia in AD 18 led to the conclusion of a compromise settlement between Rome and the Parthians that secured over a decade of peace between the two empires. From his accession the legitimacy of Artabanos II’s reign was challenged by the Phraatid faction, which was supported by Rome. Artabanos did not manage to eradicate all the deep divisions lacerating Parthia, but he did achieve a substantial degree of success, eliminating the opposition of the powerful Sūrēn clan. The patent improvement in Parthia’s relations with Rome during Caligula’s reign may have to some extent been due to Artabanos’ respect for the new emperor, the son of Germanicus.