What is Artabanus IV?
'''Artabanus IV of Parthia'''<ref>When [[Arsaces II]] is called [[Artabanus I]] - as it is done by earlier historians - he has to be counted as Artabanus V</ref> ruled the [[Parthia|Parthian Empire]] (c. [[216]] – [[224]]). He was the younger son of Vologases V who died in [[209]]. Artabanus rebelled against his brother Vologases VI, and soon gained the upper hand, although Vologases VI maintained himself in a part of [[Babylonia]] until about [[228]]. The [[Roman Empire|Roman]] emperor [[Caracalla]], wanted to make use of this civil war for a conquest of the East and attacked the Parthians in 216. He crossed the [[Tigris]] and destroyed the towns, but when Artabanus advanced at the head of an army, he retired to [[Carrhae]]. There he was murdered by Martialis on April 8, 217. Caracalla's successor, the Praetorian Prefect of the Guard [[Macrinus]], was defeated at [[Battle of Nisibis|Nisibis]] and in a peace with Artabanus he gave up all the Roman conquests and paid a heavy contribution to the Parthians. At about this time, the [[Sassanid Empire|Persian]] Great King [[Ardashir I of Persia|Ardashir]] had already begun his conquests in Persia. When Artabanus tried to subdue him his troops were defeated. The war lasted several years; at last Artabanus himself was killed in [[226]]. Thus the 400-year rule of the [[Arsacid Dynasty]] came to an end. {{s-start}} {{s-bef|before=Vologases V}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of kings of Persia|Great King (Shah) of Parthia]]|years=208 – 228}} {{s-aft|after=[[Ardashir I|Ardashir I of Persia]]}} {{end}} ==References== {{reflist}} * {{1911}} * Dio Cassius, vii, 12; lxxviii, 26. {{DEFAULTSORT:Artabanus 04 Of Parthia}} [[Category:History of Iran]] [[Category:216 births]] [[Category:224 deaths]]