Vardanes I of Parthia

Vardanes I was king of the Parthian Empire from 40 to 46. He was the heir apparent of his father Artabanus II (r. 12–40), but had to continually fight against his brother Gotarzes II, a rival claimant to the throne. Vardanes' short reign ended when he was assassinated at instigation of a party of Parthian nobles while hunting.

"Vardanes" (also spelled Bardanes) is the Latin attestation of the Middle Iranian name Vardān. The name is transliterated in Greek as Bardánēs, while the Armenian variant is Vardan.

In c. 40, Vardanes' father and reigning Parthian king Artabanus II (r. 12–40) died, entrusting his realm to Vardanes. However, the throne was seized by Gotarzes, who, unlike Vardanes, was an adopted son of Artabanus II. Gotarzes shortly had another brother, Artabanus, along with his wife and child, executed. An uproar against this execution shortly followed, with an appeal being sent to Vardanes, who took Gotarzes by surprise and defeated him, after travelling 375 miles in two days. Vardanes was applauded by the governors of the neighbouring Parthian provinces, and quickly gained control over most of the Parthian realm. The Mesopotamian city of Seleucia, which had been in rebellion since 35, did not acknowledge Vardanes, who shortly besieged the city. However, the long siege of Seleucia resulted in Gotarzes gaining the upper hand in the conflict, who raised a new force and drove off Vardanes, who fled to Bactria in Central Asia.

Turmoil shortly occurred in Armenia, where its Arsacid king Orodes (who was Vardanes' brother) was deposed by the Roman emperor Claudius (r. 41–54), who appointed the Pharnavazid prince Mithridates in his stead. Simultaneously, just before Vardanes and Gotarzes clashed in battle, they reached an accord after Gotarzes informed Vardanes of an conspiracy being planned against them by a prominent group. The accord was that Vardanes was to keep his crown, while Gotarzes withdrew to Hyrcania. In June 42, Vardanes forced Seleucia to submit to the Parthians again after a rebellion of seven years. He heavily decreased the self-rule of the city, notably its privilege to mint its own coins, which was removed.

Encouraged by his recent triumphs, Vardanes prepared to invade and reconquer Armenia, but ultimately abandoned his plans, due to threats of war from the Roman governor of Syria, Gaius Vibius Marsus, and likewise renewed conflict with Gotarzes, who terminated their accord. Vardanes defeated Gotarzes on the Erindes, as river situated on the Media-Hyrcania border. He then proceeded to conquer the remaining Parthian provinces, reaching as far as Aria. In c. 46 he was assassinated while hunting at the instigation of a party of Parthian nobles, who feared that their status might become endangered.

Vardanes I is mentioned in Life of Apollonius of Tyana as a benefactor to Apollonius of Tyana (2–c. 98). He gives him letters guaranteeing safe passage to India, so that he can meet there the ruler of India, Phraotes:

And with that, he showed them a letter, written to that effect, and this gave them occasion to marvel afresh at the humanity and foresight of Vardanes. For he had addressed the letter in question to the satrap of the Indus, although he was not subject to his dominion; and in it he reminded him of the good service he had done him, but declared that he would not ask any recompense for the same, "for", he said, "it is not my habit to ask for a return of favors." But he said he would be very grateful, if he could give a welcome to Apollonius and send him on wherever he wished to go. And he had given gold to the guide, so that in case he found Apollonius in want thereof, he might give it him and save him from looking to the generosity of anyone else. – Book II:17