title: Meherdates
text: # Meherdates
  
  Meherdates (Parthian: 𐭌𐭄𐭓𐭃𐭕 Mihrdāt) was a Parthian prince who competed against Gotarzes II (r. 40–51) for the Parthian crown from 49 to 51 AD. A son of Vonones I (r. 8–12), he was ultimately defeated and captured by Gotarzes II, who spared him, but had his ears mutilated, an act that disqualified him from inheriting the throne.
  
  