Himeros (Parthian)

Himeros ( called Euhemeros by Diodorus ) was a Parthian satrap who lived under Phraates II (138 to 128 BC), probably around 129 BC. Officiated in Babylonia .

Although Himeros probably never assumed royal office, he was of some importance. It is mentioned by various ancient authors, such as Junianus Justinus and Diodorus, because of its particular cruelty.

During his reign, Phraates II was confronted with a two-front war. In the west the Seleucids attacked , in the east nomadic peoples, who had already destroyed the empire of Bactria , advanced. Phraates II moved to the east against these nomads and installed a certain Himeros, who was his favorite because of his good looks, as satrap in Mesopotamia .

During his tenure, Himeros was particularly noticeable for his tyrannical cruelty and constant harassment of his subjects in Babylon and other cities. He is said to have even sold his own subjects into slavery. He set fire to the agora and temples of Babylon and destroyed large parts of the city. His reign, which also included Seleukia on the Tigris , seems to have been very short for that very reason. Shortly before 127 BC Hyspaosines is attested as regent in Babylon. The further fate of Himeros remains unknown.

swell

• Junianus Justinus 42, 1
• Diodorus 34, 21
• Poseidonios , Historien 16 ( quoted from Athenaios , Deipnosophistai 11, 466)

literature

• Monika Schuol : The characters. A Mesopotamian kingdom in the Hellenistic-Parthian period (= Oriens et occidens. 1). Steiner, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-515-07709-X , p. 274, (also: Kiel, Universität, Dissertation, 1998).