Vonones II

Vonones II was a notable Parthian prince who held the title of king of Media Atropatene from approximately eleven AD until fifty-one AD. His lineage is intriguing, as he was not part of the ruling branch of the Arsacid royal family. His father has been identified as either a member of the Atropatid dynasty or a Dahae prince, tracing descent from the former Arsacid monarch Mithridates II. His mother was a daughter of Phraates IV, the Arsacid King of Kings, which further highlights the royal connections in his bloodline.

In the wake of his nephew Gotarzes II's death, Vonones II ascended to the throne of the Parthian Empire in fifty-one AD. However, his reign was short-lived, lasting only a few months before his untimely death. Tacitus remarked on his rule, stating that Vonones II “knew neither success nor failure which have deserved to be remembered to him,” characterizing it as a brief and unremarkable period in history.

Despite the brevity of his reign, Vonones II's legacy continued through his three sons, who each went on to hold significant thrones in the region. Vologases I, Pacorus, and Tiridates I each played pivotal roles in the political landscape of Parthia, Media Atropatene, and Armenia, respectively. This familial connection underscores the enduring influence of Vonones II's lineage in the annals of Parthian history.