Vologases III entered the field of contenders for the kingship late in the reign of Pakoros II, and achieved dominance by 105 AD. His reign, long by the standards of this period of Parthian history, was primarily consumed with defending his position from a number of challengers, many of whom struck their own coins: Osroes I, Mithradates V, and an unknown king (see lots 497, 500, and 501, respectively). Osroes proved a strong challenge, securing Mesopotamia for himself, and relegating Vologases to his base in Iran. In 129 AD, Vologases appears to have finished with Osroes, but then Mithradates IV siezed control of Iran. He was succeeded in 147 by Vologases IV, apparently a son of Mithradates V.
KINGS of PARTHIA. Vologases III. 105-147 AD. AR Drachm (3.65 gm). Ekbatana mint. Diademed bust left, short tapering beard, earring visible; diadem has three bands, two loops, and three ends / OΛIIΛ|-Λ[C] OΛIIΛ|-ΛN ΛI-IΛH[O ΔΙV]ΙΙΓΙΤ[Ο] ΔΙΧΛΙΟV [I]ΠΙΦΛΝΟVC [ΦΙ]ΛΙΛΛΗΧΟ[C], Arsakes I seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Sellwood 78.1; Shore -; BMC Parthia pg. 186, 66 (Vologases I); MACW 671.
