Osroes I seized control of Mesopotamia in 109 AD, during the reign of Vologases III. It is unknown whether he could have achieved more, as shortly thereafter he was forced to deal with the massive Roman invasion led by the emperor Trajan. The event was precipitated by Osroes’ dethroning of the king of Armenia, whom the Romans viewed as their own vassal. Basing his action on the model that solved the same crisis under Vologases I (see lot 483), Osroes sent Parthamsiris, a son of Pakoros II, to Trajan, hoping to have the Roman confirm him as the new king of Armenia. Trajan, convinced that the Romans held a strong upper hand, refused. Parthamasiris was killed, and the Romans advanced into Mesopotamia, captured the capital, Ktesiphon, and placed their own candidate, Parthamaspates, upon the throne (see lot 499). Events forced the Romans to withdraw in 116 AD, and the threat of their return in 117 AD was abated by Trajan’s death and his replacement by the non-expansionist emperor Hadrian. Little is known of Osroes’ later rule.
KINGS of PARTHIA. Osroes I. 109-129 AD. AR Drachm (3.47 gm). Ekbatana mint. Diademed bust left, long pointed beard, earring visible, hair in bunches above head and over ears / OΛIIΛ|-ΛC OΛIIΛ|-ΛN ΛI-IΛNO [ΔΙ]VΙΙΓ.ΙΤ[Ο] ΔΙΧΛΙΟV IΠΙΦΛNΟVC [ΦΙ]ΛΙΛΛΗΧ[ΟCV], Arsakes I seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow. Sellwood 80.1; Shore 422; BMC Parthia pg. 205, 3; MACW 678.
