The Parthian Phraates III crowned "King of Kings" and "God" at Seleucia, 64 BC (litho)

The Parthian Phraates III crowned "King of Kings" and "God" at Seleucia, 64 BC. The Parthian nomad chief Arsaces founded the Arsacid Dynasty (afterwards of Persia) in Khorasan in 428 BC. It began to expand under Phraates I and Mithridates I (175-138) and greatly under Mithridates II the Great (124-88), who took Seleucia (Babylon), overthrew the Seleucid Empire and came into contact with Rome 92 BC. His son Phraates III (70-57) had a chequered war with Pompey, and in 64 BC crowned himself with the Parthian title of "King of Kings" (Shahanshah) and the Greek title of "god" (theos). Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.