Vologaeses V.

Coin of Vologaeses V. The coin was minted in Ekbatana . Reverse: an Aramaic inscription and meaningless Greek letters

Vologaeses V. (also Balāš or Valgāš ) was a Parthian king who ruled from around 191/93 to 207/8.

Life

Vologaeses V. presumably acted as co-regent of his father Vologaeses IV since 191 and succeeded him in 193. He took advantage of the weakness of the Roman Empire at that time and promoted unrest in the Roman vassal states Osroene and Adiabene during the reign of Vologaeses IV .

The Roman Emperor Septimius Severus was able to win these states for Rome through a campaign in 195, but was then busy with affairs in the west of his empire. Vologaeses V then attacked Mesopotamia , but had to contend with a rebellion of the Medes and Persians . In 197, Septimius Severus invaded Mesopotamia again and was able to sack the capital Ctesiphon and other places. The residents of Ctesiphon were sold into slavery . When food became scarce, he withdrew and tried unsuccessfully to conquer Hatra . In northern Mesopotamia the emperor established the (short-lived) Roman province of Mesopotamia and stationed two legions to protect it. Vologaeses V. died around 207, his son Vologaeses VI. became his successor.

Under Vologaeses V. clear signs of deterioration can be seen in all areas of Parthian life. The coin legends are often barely legible. The image of the ruler has often degenerated into a caricature. Apparently the various wars, but also the plague, did not leave the empire unscathed.

literature

• Malcolm AR Colledge, The Parthians . Thames and Hudson, London 1967, 53, 168-171.

Web links

Commons : Vologaeses V.  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

predecessor	Office	successor
Vologaeses IV.	King of the Parthian Empire 191 / 93–207 / 8	Vologaeses VI.