Orodes I of Parthia

Who is Orodes I of Parthia?

King Orodes I of Parthia ruled the Parthian Empire from c. 90 to 80 BC in succession to Gotarzes I. Until 88 BC his reign coincided with that of Mithridates II, the rival king against whom Gotarzes had revolted. Coins bearing Orodes' likeness were issued from the Median mints of the cities of Ecbatana and Rhagae.

The history of Parthia is quite obscure during this period, but Orodes' reign seems to have ended, as it had begun, in civil war with an unknown claimant. The name of his successor is also unknown, and it is only with the beginning of the reign of Sanatruces, c. 77 BC, that the line of Parthian rulers can again be reliably traced.

Orodes is mentioned as king of kings of the Arsacid dynasty in a Babylonian report of the lunar eclipse of 11 April 80 BC.