Parthian Empire – Orodes II (57–38 BC) – Silver Drachm – Ecbatana Mint
Orodes II – The King Who Brought Rome to Its Knees
An ancient silver coin from the reign of one of Parthia’s most powerful rulers, whose armies inflicted one of the most devastating defeats in Roman history.
This fascinating silver drachm was struck during the reign of Orodes II (57–38 BC), a powerful king of the Arsacid dynasty who ruled the Parthian Empire at the height of its rivalry with the Roman Republic.
Orodes II is remembered for one of the most extraordinary military victories of the ancient world: the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC.
At the time, Rome was expanding its influence eastward, and Marcus Licinius Crassus, one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in Rome, launched an ambitious invasion of Parthian territory.
What followed was a catastrophe for the Roman legions.
Under the brilliant command of the Parthian general Surena, the Parthian cavalry overwhelmed the Roman army with its devastating combination of mounted archers and heavily armoured horsemen. Thousands of Roman soldiers were killed or captured, and Crassus himself lost his life during the campaign.
The defeat at Carrhae became one of Rome’s greatest military humiliations and established Parthia as a formidable rival to Roman power in the East.
The Coin – A Portrait of Parthian Royal Power
Obverse: The portrait of King Orodes II facing left, wearing a royal diadem and displaying the distinctive hairstyle associated with Parthian kings. His dignified appearance reflects the authority and prestige of the Arsacid monarchy.
Reverse: The traditional seated archer, generally identified with Arsaces I, the founder of the Parthian dynasty, holding a bow. Surrounding the figure are Greek inscriptions, a remarkable reminder of the Hellenistic cultural influence that continued to shape the eastern kingdoms centuries after Alexander the Great.
The coin was struck at Ecbatana, one of the most important cities of ancient Media, located in present-day Iran. Once a major royal centre of the Median and Persian empires, Ecbatana remained a significant administrative and minting centre under Parthian rule.
A Piece of History in Your Hands
More than 2,000 years old, this silver drachm belongs to the extraordinary period when the Roman Republic and the Parthian Empire struggled for supremacy in the ancient Near East.
It is a tangible connection to the world of Crassus, the legendary Parthian horsemen, and a powerful eastern kingdom that successfully challenged Roman expansion.
An evocative addition to any collection of ancient coins, Roman Republican history, or the great civilizations of the ancient Near East.
Numismatic Details
Kingdom: Parthian Empire
Ruler: Orodes II
Dynasty: Arsacid
Reign: 57–38 BC
Mint: Ecbatana
Denomination: Drachm
Metal: Silver (AR)
Weight: 3.74 g
Obverse: Diademed bust of Orodes II facing left
Reverse: Seated archer holding a bow, surrounded by Greek inscriptions
Condition: Near Very Fine (NVF)
Period: 1st century BC
An authentic witness to the age when Parthian kings stood against the might of Rome.