Meanwhile in Parthia, a war of succession had broken out in 57 BC after king Phraates III was killed by his sons Orodes II and Mithridates IV, who then began fighting each other over the throne. In the first stage, Orodes emerged victorious, and appointed his brother as king of Media (de facto as his governor) as a compromise.[6] However, after another armed clash, Orodes forced Mithridates to flee to Aulus Gabinius, the Roman proconsul of Syria.[7] Gabinius sought to interfere in the succession dispute on behalf of Mithridates, so that Rome could make him their puppet king and seize control of Parthia in the process.