Mithridates I of Parthia

Mithridates I
"King of kings of Iran"
Coin of Mithridates I of Parthia, showing him wearing a beard and a royal diadem on his head
Reign	165-132 BC
Predecessor	Phraates I
Successor	Phraates II
Born	c. 195 BC
Died	132 BC
Issue	Phraates II Rhodogune
Dynasty	Arsacid dynasty
Father	Phriapatius
Religion	Zoroastrianism

Mithridates or Mithradates I (Parthian: Mihrdat, Persian: مهرداد‎‎, Mehrdād), (ca. 195 BC – 132 BC) was king of the Parthian Empire from 165 BC to 132 BC, succeeding his brother Phraates I. His father was King Phriapatius of Parthia, who died ca. 176 BC). Mithridates I made Parthia into a major political power by expanding the empire to the east, south, and west. During his reign the Parthians took Herat (in 167 BC), Babylonia (in 144 BC), Media (in 141 BC) and Persia (in 139 BC). Because of his many conquests and religious tolerance, he has been compared to other Iranian kings such Cyrus the Great (d. 530 BC), founder of the Achaemenid Empire.

Mithridates first expanded Parthia's control eastward by defeating King Eucratides of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. This gave Parthia control over Bactria's territory west of the Arius river, the regions of Margiana and Aria (including the city of Herat in 167 BC).

These victories gave Parthia control of the overland trade routes between east and west (the Silk Road and the Persian Royal Road). This control of trade became the foundation of Parthia's wealth and power and was jealously guarded by the Parthians, who attempted to maintain direct control over the lands through which the major trade routes passed.

After defeating the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom in the east, Mithridates then focused on the Seleucid realm. He invaded Media and occupied Ecbatana in 148 or 147 BC; the region had been destabilized by a recent Seleucid suppression of a rebellion there led by Timarchus. This victory was followed by the Parthian conquest of Babylonia in Mesopotamia, where Mithridates had coins minted at Seleucia in 141 BC and held an official investiture ceremony. While Mithridates retired to Hyrcania, his forces subdued the kingdoms of Elymais and Characene and occupied Susa. By this time, Parthian authority extended as far east as the Indus River.