Artabanus III ( ''Ardawān''), incorrectly known in older scholarship as Artabanus IV, was a
Parthian prince who competed against his brother
Pacorus II () for the Parthian crown from 79/80 to 81. Artabanus III's claim to the throne seems to have little support in the Parthian Empire, with the exception of
Babylonia
Babylonia (; , ) was an Ancient history, ancient Akkadian language, Akkadian-speaking state and cultural area based in the city of Babylon in central-southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq and parts of Kuwait, Syria and Iran). It emerged as a ...
. Artabanus III's most notable action was to give refuge to a
Pseudo-Nero named
Terentius Maximus. Artabanus III initially agreed to lend military aid to Terentius Maximus to capture
Rome
Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...
, until he found about the real identity of the impostor. Coin mints of Artabanus III disappear after 81, which suggests that Pacorus II had defeated him.
References
Sources
* (2 volumes)
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Artabanus 03 Of Parthia
1st-century Parthian monarchs
81 deaths
1st-century births
1st-century Iranian people