(2) Headings to own Parthian regal females. Parthian leaders was indeed polygamous. Among non-Parthian lady within king’s judge we discover the fresh child away from Demetrius Nikanor (Justinus, ), who was seized pursuing the death of Antiochus VI (roentgen. 145-142) and brought to this new judge of Mithridates I (r. 171-). One of the international ladies who covered a premier standing within the latest legal is Musa (Josephus, Ant. Jud. 18.dos.4). Augustus (63 BCE-14 Le) sent the new Italian lady due to the fact good ‘gift’ in order to Phraates IV (roentgen. 38-3/2). She is mom of your own heir towards throne, Phraates V (r. 2 BCE-2 Ce), and by age queen. A beneficial Greek lady (Dio Cass., 62, 63.5; Josephus, Ant. Jud. ; Tac., Ann. ) is known as the caretaker regarding Vologeses I (roentgen. 51- CE).
Brand new wives of Parthian kings try said in the formal files, a practice having become adapted throughout the Seleucids (OGIS 219). The individual names and you may titles appear in Babylonian records of your Parthian months, plus in the fresh new Greek records out-of Avroman in Kurdistan. The latest king’s partner drill the newest label “queen” (Bab. sarratu, Gr. basilisse,), given that identity “lady” (Bab. beltu) was utilized while the a form of address. Greek sources to help you regal wives just like the “sisters (of the king) regarding the same father” (Gr. homopatriai adelphai) try recognized about Avroman files hence explore Siace (Minns, zero. I: 2-3), the latest girlfriend and you may sis of Mithridates II (r. -), who’s called close to several most other wives, “Aryazate surnamed Automa, girl of one’s Higher King Tigranes, and his partner” and you will “Azate their compaternal sis and girlfriend” (Minns, no. II: 3-5). A sibling-partner is also attested to have Orodes We. Their name’s considering from inside the Babylonian documents as Isbubarza (Strassmeier, p. 112; Potts, p. 392). Whenever you are these recommendations suggest a focus toward siblings’ well-known paternal origin they allow no conclusions concerning if they originated throughout the same mother, which means that to their personality as the complete siblings. Just will we use up all your definitive proof one to Parthians joined incestuous marriage ceremonies ranging from complete siblings, such source carry out and additionally maybe not allow us to draw one results on the eg habit inside the Parthian dynasty.
Brand new royal wives had been chosen regarding one of the female people in the fresh new royal family by itself as well as out of Parthian noble family
For the majority understood circumstances women are only mentioned due to the fact the inner circle Review king’s spouses. A Babylonian text states Ri-[x]-nu, the caretaker out of Phraates We (roentgen. 176-171), and probably the brand new spouse regarding Mithridates I. 29; Oelsner, pp. 147-8). One another spouses out of Gotarzes We (roentgen. -), one of whom are entitled Asi’abatum, have been named his “wives and you will women” (Bab. assati(?)-su beltu; cf. Strassmeier, p. 112; Minns, p. 34), when you are Pi-ir(?)-ri-ta good-na beneficial-a great, the latest partner from Phraates III (r. -), was named their “girlfriend and queen” (Bab. assatisu sarratu; cf. Strassmeier, p. 112; Minns, p. 36). Phraates IV got five spouses: Olennieire, Cleopatra, Baseirta and you can Bistheibanaps (Minns, p. 30).
Once the mommy of one’s heir toward throne she got an enthusiastic eminent reputation during the court when she acted as the regent for the young Phraates pursuing the king’s demise (Debevoise, p
(3) Products on court. Ladies members of the newest king’s family unit members were used given that pawns within the this new facilities and you will confirmation of governmental alliances. This was a habit attested specifically between Parthia and Armenia , whether or not positively governmental wedding alliances along with other principalities of your Parthian empire and additionally occurred. A daughter out of Phraates IV is married to help you Tigranes out-of Armenia, and you will Orodes II (roentgen. 58/7-38) verified their alliance towards Armenian king Artavasdes having a married relationship between their son Pacorus and you will a brother of Armenian queen (Plut., Crass. 33).
