PAKOROS I SILVER DRACHM________Parthian Empire________UNIQUE FIGHTING STYLE

Description

27P48
FRASCATIUS ANCIENTS
A BEAUTIFUL SILVER DRACHM OF PAKOROS I (KING OF PARTHIA) MINTED IN EKBATANA (MODERN HAMADAN) FROM 78 - 120 AD .
Pakoros was likely the son of the Parthian king Vonones II and a Greek concubine.
Parthia created a vast empire that stretched from the Mediterranean in the west to India and China in the east.
Parthian archers were so adept at their lethal craft, they developed the 'Parthian shot'. Able to shoot backward from horseback at full gallop, the Parthian archer delivered kill shots at pursuing cavalry.
This specific coin type was reattributed from Vologases III to Pakoros I by G.F. Assar in: Numismatic Art of Persia - The Sunrise Collection, Part I.
THE SIZE IS 20.2 MM AND 3.46 GRAMS.
Sellwood 78 (Vologases III), Sunrise 439; Shore 413 (Vologases III)
OBVERSE – Diademed and draped bust of Pakoros I to left
REVERSE – Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; below bow, monogram _____ SCRIPT TRANSLATION = "Translation: Coin of Arsaces the king of kings, the benefactor, the just, the illustrious, friend of the Greeks"
PAKOROS I
Pakoros was likely the son of the Parthian king Vonones II (51 AD) and a Greek concubine. When Vonones died, his older son Vologases I became the king of Parthia, while Pakoros was sent to serve as the sub-king of Atropatene. When Vologases I died in 78 AD, his son Vologases II was named as his successor. Pakoros raised a rebellion against his nephew and was successful by the following year. Not much is known about the reign of Pakoros, but he did face several challengers for the throne, including Vologases II and Artabanos V (c. 80-85 AD).
The date of Pakoros' death is uncertain. Most sources have put the end date for his reign at 105 AD, but in the catalog of the Sunrise collection G.R.F. Assar convincingly argues that Pakoros II must have reigned until at least 110/111 AD, and may have retained some territory in Iran until as late as 120 AD. About the only other notable fact of Pakoros' reign is that he sent an embassy to China in about 101 AD.
Also, a "false Nero" (an imposter claiming to be the Roman Emperor Nero, having survived his alleged suicide) turned up at Pakoros' court, but the (real) Emperor Domitian pressured Pakoros to deport the imposter to Roman territory in 88 AD.
PARTHIAN EMPIRE
The Parthians ruled from 247 BC to 224 AD creating a vast empire that stretched from the Mediterranean in the west to India and China in the east. East of the Caspian Sea there emerged from the steppe of Central Asia a nomadic Scythian tribe called the Parni.
Later called the Parthians and taking over the Seleucid Empire and fending off the Romans, they established themselves as a superpower in their own right. With a unique and extremely successful fighting style, the vast area they conquered put them in contact with goods and cultural influences from different parts of their empire. From these influences, the Parthians not only blended architectural styles to make their own Parthian architecture but they also created their own unique Parthian art and dress.
Key to many a Parthian victory and the expansion of the Parthian Empire was the unique use of the horse and bow. With a hit and run fighting style, Parthia's tactics (including pretending retreat) were well suited to counter the concentrated troop movements of other nations.
With archers on the fleetest of horses, and camel riders providing a steady supply of arrows, they made sitting ducks of infantry unable to engage except at close range. When the enemy's cavalry gave chase, the Parthians had an answer. So adept at their lethal craft, they developed the 'Parthian shot'. Able to shoot backward from horseback at full gallop, the Parthian archer delivered kill shots at pursuing cavalry. Thus, Parthian horsemen were able to come at enemy troops from all directions, creating confusion and wreaking havoc. Finally, their heavily armored cavalry (cataphracts) provided offensive support and assistance in mopping up remaining pockets of resistance with long lances and swords.
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