Phraatakes was the son of the slave girl Musa, who was given to the Parthian king Phraates by the Romans in 20 BC. Musa eventually became Phraates’ queen and manuvered her son into an unchallenged position to succeed the king after murdering Phraates in 2 BC. In a seeming attempt to legitimize his rule and secure her influence, Phraatakes and Musa were married in 2 AD, and began issuing a coinage containing both of their portraits (see lots 470-2). This union was not unprecedented in certain eastern cultures, but did little to secure their position among the Parthian nobility, as they were, after all, of Italian stock. Within two years they successfully overthrew them both and placed Orodes III upon the throne.
KINGS of PARTHIA. Phraatakes and Musa. 2 BC - 4 AD. Billon Tetradrachm (12.63 gm). Seleukeia on the Tigris mint. Dated Seleukid era Daisios 314 (May, 2 AD). BACIΛEΩC [BACIΛEΩN], diademed bust left, wart on forehead, Nike flying right before, crowning him; ΔΙΤ (year) behind / ΘCAC OV [PANIAC] MOVCHC BACIΛICΗC, crowned bust of Musa right, Nike flying left before, crowning her; ΔΙΑ (sic; month) behind. Cf. Sellwood 58.4-6; cf. Shore 323; cf. BMC Parthia pg. 139; MACW -.
