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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;robinjojo, post: 4266555, member: 110226&quot;]We are certainly living through tumultuous times, with covid-19 posing as the latest threat to our health and well-being.&nbsp; Of course, history is full of countless conflicts and disasters falling upon past civilizations.&nbsp; Here&#039;s one conflict, dating to the first century BCE.</p><p><br /></p><p>Orodes II was the son of Phraates III .&nbsp; In 57 BCE he and his elder brother, Mithridates IV, murdered Phraates III.&nbsp; What ensued was a power struggle between the brothers for the throne.&nbsp; The conflict came to a head in 54 BCE, when Orodes II, through his able general, Surena, who laid siege on Seleucia.&nbsp; Mithridates IV eventually was forced into a decisive battle which ended in his defeat and death.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>For more information on this chapter in Parthian and Roman history, here&#039;s a link:</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orodes_II" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orodes_II" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orodes_II</a></p><p><br /></p><p>I recently acquired, through Roma, as a post-auction lot, this interesting tetradrachm of Orodes II.&nbsp; This coin depicts the profile of Orodes II on the obverse, with a rather severe (and satisfied?) expression.&nbsp; On the reverse, Tyche is kneeling before Orodes II, symbolizing the submission of Seleucia to his rule as the king of Parthia.&nbsp; As is typical of Parthian tetradrachms, the reverse has extensive legends, both horizontal and vertical.</p><p><br /></p><p>This coin also shows signs of being over-struck on an earlier tetradrachm, probably one issued by Mithridates IV.&nbsp; I have read that Orodes II, after conquering Seleucia, ordered the complete obliteration of his brother&#039;s coinage through re-striking them with his image.&nbsp; Evidence of the under-coin can be seen at 12 o&#039;clock on the reverse in the form of very weak letters.&nbsp; I can make out a &quot;Y&quot; and what is probably a &quot;V&quot;.&nbsp; The obverse also shows signs of over-strike in the form of irregular field in front of the portrait, as well as a crack running through the portrait, probably the result of re-striking without sufficient heat to make the metal more elastic. </p><p><br /></p><p>I have had no luck locating a tetradrachm of Mithridates IV (S 41).&nbsp; Do they exist?</p><p><br /></p><p>Do you have other examples of fratricidal conflicts?</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1086727[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Kings of Parthia, Orodes II AR Tetradrachm. Seleukia on the Tigris, 57-38 BC. Diademed and draped bust left / King enthroned right, Tyche kneeling before him, holding sceptre; monogram above, [letters] in exergue. Sellwood 45.3-8. 13.10g, 27mm, 12h.</p><p><br /></p><p>Very Fine. Rare.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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