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Mithridates II (the Great), was the king of Parthia from c. 124 to 88 BC. Parthia reached its greatest extent during his reign.
He saved the kingdom from the Scythians (Sacae or Tocharii), who had occupied Bactria and eastern Iran and killed his predecessor in battle. Mithridates II extended the limits of the empire, according to the 3rd century AD Roman historian Junianus Justinus (42, 2) who tends to confuse him with Mithridates III, under who Parthia received severe setbacks.
He defeated King Artavasdes of Armenia and conquered seventy valleys; and the prince Tigranes came as hostage to the Parthians (Justin 42, 2; Strabo, xi. 532). His name invokes the protection of Mithra. His coins show him bearded, wearing the high domed Parthian crown applied with a star.
He also interfered in the wars of the dynasts of Syria (Josephus Antiquities of the Jews xiii. 14, 3). He was the first Parthian king who entered into negotiations with Rome, then represented by Sulla, praetor of Cilicia in 92 BC.
This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
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