After being forced into exile by his stepmother Musa, Vonones settled into a comfortable life in Rome (see lot 457). A few years later, the subsequent coups that removed Phraatakes and Orodes III from the throne led to his recall in 8 AD. However, the same Parthian nobles that put him in power found themselves dismayed at the extent of Vonones' Romanization: he did not even like to ride a horse! His coinage also broke with tradition, depicting Nike (a western convention) on the reverse rather than Arsakes I. Eventually a civil war ensued with Rome supporting Vonones, and the Parthian nobles backing Artabanos II. Four years later, Vonones was again in exile, this time taking the throne of Armenia. The Armenians had no great love for him either, and, with the help of Artabanos III, threw him out in 16 AD. Vonones wandered through Syria and Cilicia, attempting to gather forces for an invasion of Parthia, but was assassinated in 19 AD. There is no known coinage for Vonones as king of Armenia.
KINGS of PARTHIA. Vonones I. 8-12 AD. AR Drachm (3.60 gm). Ekbatana mint. BACIΛEYC ONWNHC, diademed bust left / BACIΛEYC ONWNHC NEIKHCAC ARTABANON, Nike walking right, holding wreath and palm; monogram before. Sellwood 60.5; Shore 329; BMC Parthia pg. 144, 6; MACW 613 var. (mint).
