Royal formula of Parthian coinage explained

Greek inscriptions similar to "Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ", meaning "[coin] of king of kings Arsaces, the benefactor (Euergetes), the just (Dikaios), the illustrious (Epiphanes), friend of the Greeks (Philhellen)", are found on coins of the Parthian Empire, starting from the reign of Artabanus I. Some variations of this inscription exist.

The name Arsaces indicates the Arsacid dynasty and appears until the period of Phraates IV.^[1]

Transliteration

BASILEOS BASILEON ARSAKOU EUERGETOU DIKAIOU EPIPHANOUS PHILHELLENOS.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Literal translation

Some of the more frequent epithets appearing in the royal formula:

• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ = Of the King of kings
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ = the Great (genitive form)
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ = Arsaces (genitive form)
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ = Euergetes, the Benefactor (genitive form)
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ = Autokratōr, absolute ruler (genitive form)
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ = Dikaios, the Just (genitive form)
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ = Epiphanes, the Illustrious (genitive form)
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ = Philopator, father-loving (genitive form)
• Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ = Philhellene, the Friend of the Greeks (genitive form)

Notes and References

1. [Warwick William Wroth]
2. Web site: Drachm - Vologases III, Sellwood Type 78 - Ecbatana, Persia (ancient). En.numista.com. 21 August 2017.
3. Web site: Drachm - Phraates IV, Sellwood Type 54, Persia (ancient). En.numista.com. 21 August 2017.
4. Web site: Coin. British Museum. 21 August 2017.