Vardanes II was the son of Vologases I[1] or Vardanes I[2] and briefly ruler of parts of the Parthian Empire. In ancient records he only appears in Tacitus.[1] Otherwise he is only known from coins that are dated between 55 and 58 CE.[3] He rebelled against Vologases I at Seleucia from about 55 to 58 CE and must have occupied Ecbatana, since he issued coins from the mint there, bearing the likeness of a young beardless king wearing a diadem with five pendants. The lack of facial lesions on his coins sets him apart from other Parthian rulers, many of whom were depicted with nodules resembling trichoepithelioma. [4] Other than that nothing more about him is known.[5]

Vardanes II
Tetradrachm of Vardanes II, Seleucia mint
King of the Parthian Empire
Reign55 – 58
PredecessorVologases I
SuccessorVologases I
Died58
DynastyArsacid dynasty
FatherVologases I or Vardanes I
ReligionZoroastrianism

References

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  1. ^ a b Tacitus, Annals 13,7
  2. ^ Ellerbrock 2021, p. 57.
  3. ^ Sellwood 1983, 295
  4. ^ Hart, Gerald D. (1996). "Trichoepithelioma and the Kings of Ancient Parthia". Can. Med. Assoc. J. 94 (11): 547–549. PMC 1936547. PMID 5324106.
  5. ^   One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Vardanes s.v. Vardanes II.". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 27 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 905.

Sources

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Vardanes II
 Died: 58
Preceded by King of the Parthian Empire
55–58
Succeeded by