be associated with the Avestan Verethragna, the royal falcon. Death and succession In , Phraates III was murdered by his two sons, Orodes II and Mithridates IV. Orodes II at first supported his elder brother Mithridates IV, but eventually decided to revolt. With the support of the Suren clan, Orodes II defeated his brother and established himself as the sole ruler of the Parthian Empire in 55 BC. Legacy Phraates III was the first Parthian monarch who vigorously attempted to restore the Parthian realm to its former international position after the death of Mithridates II in 91 BC—an attempt that would take up much of his reign. He was partially successful in his efforts to regain lost land, such as northern Mesopotamia and Adiabene. He was unsuccessful in his ambitions towards Armenia, which would be continued by his son Orodes II after the death of Tigranes and the succession of the latter's son Artavasdes II in 55 BC. Family Marriages Phraates III's wives are all known from records on Babylonian tablets: Piriustana Teleuniqe Issue Mithridates IV, eldest son and Parthian king from 57 to 54 BC. Orodes II, Parthian king from 57 to 37 BC. Unnamed daughter, married Tigranes the Great's son, Tigranes the Younger. Notes References Sources 57 BC deaths 1st-century BC murdered monarchs 1st-century BC Parthian monarchs Year of birth unknown Parthian Dark Age 1st-century BC Babylonian kings