"King Arsaces (Mithradates I), by pursuing a set policy of clemency and humanity, won an automatic stream of advantages and further enlarged his kingdom. For he extended his power even to India, and without a battle brought under his sway the region once ruled by Porus. But, though raised to such heights of royal power, he did not cultivate luxury or arrogance, the usual accompaniments of power, but prided himself on the exercise of equity towards those who accepted his rule and courage towards those who opposed him. In short, having made himself master over many peoples, he taught the Parthians the best of the customs practised by each". So wrote Diodorus Siculus (33.18.1), Greek historian of Agyrium in Sicily, ca. 80-20 BC.
Mithradates I (165-132 BC), the Greatest of all Arsacid rulers, appears on the obverse of his tetradrachm illustrated above. He minted this coin at Seleucia on the Tigris after his outstanding victory in Mesopotamia in July 141 BC.
On this forum we discuss the political history, culture, coins, language, etc. of the Arsacids (247 BC - AD 227).