# Phraates III of Parthia

> Parthian emperor (70 BC - 57 BC)

**Wikidata**: [Q310978](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310978)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phraates_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/phraates-iii-of-parthia

## Summary

Phraates III of Parthia was a Parthian emperor who ruled from approximately 70 BC to 57 BC. As a monarch of the Parthian Empire, he held a position of significant political authority during a pivotal era in ancient Near Eastern history. His reign followed that of his predecessor and preceded that of Mithridates IV, who ruled from 57 to 54 BC.

## Biography

- **Born:** Approximately 70 BC (estimated based on reign dates)
- **Nationality:** Parthian (Iranian)
- **Education:** Not specified in available source material
- **Known for:** Ruling the Parthian Empire as emperor during the late 1st century BC
- **Employer(s):** Parthian Empire (ruling monarch)
- **Field(s):** Monarchy / Imperial Rule

## Contributions

Due to limited available source material, specific contributions attributed to Phraates III are not documented in the provided data. As Parthian emperor, his reign would have encompassed administrative governance, military leadership, and diplomatic relations typical of Parthian imperial rule during this period, though specific achievements are not enumerated in the available sources.

## FAQs

**What was Phraates III's role in ancient history?**
Phraates III served as Parthian emperor, holding the position of monarch within the Parthian Empire, an ancient Iranian kingdom that ruled vast territories in the Near East from approximately 247 BC to 224 AD.

**When did Phraates III rule the Parthian Empire?**
Phraates III ruled as Parthian emperor from approximately 70 BC until 57 BC, a period of roughly 13 years of continuous imperial rule.

**Who succeeded Phraates III as Parthian emperor?**
Mithridates IV of Parthia succeeded Phraates III, ruling from 57 BC to 54 BC. Mithridates IV held the same monarchical position and citizenship as his predecessor.

**What was the political structure of the Parthian Empire during Phraates III's reign?**
The Parthian Empire operated as a monarchy, with the emperor (or king) serving as the supreme political authority. Phraates III held the occupation classification of  (king/monarch) according to available classification systems.

## Why They Matter

Phraates III matters in historical context as a representative of Parthian imperial authority during a transformative period in ancient Near Eastern civilization. The Parthian Empire served as a major counterbalance to Roman expansion in the west and maintained significant cultural and political influence across Central Asia and the Iranian plateau. As a monarch, Phraates III contributed to the continuity of Parthian governance during an era when the empire navigated complex relationships with neighboring powers including Rome, Armenia, and various Central Asian kingdoms. His reign represents a specific point in the approximately 470-year timeline of Parthian imperial history, contributing to the broader narrative of ancient Iranian statecraft and governance.

## Notable For

- Ruling as Parthian emperor during the late 1st century BC
- Holding monarchical authority (occupation classification ) within the Parthian Empire
- Being recognized as a distinct historical figure with dedicated Wikipedia coverage (sitelink_count: 39)
- Representing Parthian citizenship during his reign

## Body

### Identity and Title

Phraates III of Parthia held the position of Parthian emperor, serving as the monarchical ruler of the Parthian Empire. His primary identity is categorized as human, representing a member of Homo sapiens, and as monarch, denoting a person at the head of a monarchy. The Parthian Empire constituted an ancient Iranian political entity that governed extensive territories in the Near East from approximately 247 BC until 224 AD, representing one of the most significant powers in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern affairs.

### Reign and Timeline

Phraates III ruled as Parthian emperor from approximately 70 BC until 57 BC, representing a reign of approximately 13 years. His period of rule occurred during the late phase of the Hellenistic period and the early Roman imperial era, a time characterized by significant geopolitical competition between Rome and Parthia for dominance in the Near East. The dates 70 BC to 57 BC place his reign in the context of broader Mediterranean and Near Eastern history, including the late Roman Republic's expansionist wars and the internal political transformations within the Roman state that would eventually lead to the rise of the Roman Empire.

### Succession and Political Context

The succession of Parthian emperors during this period followed a pattern of dynastic transfer, with Phraates III's reign positioned between other rulers of the Parthian royal line. According to available source material, Mithridates IV of Parthia succeeded Phraates III, ruling from 57 BC to 54 BC. This succession represents the transfer of imperial authority within the Arsacid dynasty that ruled the Parthian Empire. The relationship between these rulers reflects the dynastic nature of Parthian imperial succession, where power often transferred between members of the ruling family rather than through entirely separate lineages.

### Classification and Documentation

From a knowledge organization perspective, Phraates III is documented with specific identifiers and properties. His Wikipedia title is listed as "Phraates III" and his Wikidata description identifies him as "Parthian emperor (70 BC - 57 BC)." The entry maintains a sitelink count of 39, indicating moderate cross-referencing within Wikipedia and related knowledge bases. His occupation is classified as , which corresponds to the concept of "king" or monarch, while his citizenship is categorized under , representing Parthian identity. These classification systems allow for systematic organization of historical figures within larger knowledge graphs and facilitate research into ancient historical figures and their relationships.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Virtual International Authority File