A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

MITHRIDATES II., the son of the preceding, prosecuted many wars with success, and added many nations to the Parthian empire, whence he obtained the surname of Great. He defeated the Scythians in several battles, and also carried on war against Artavasdes, king of Armenia. It was in his reign that the Romans first had any official communication with Parthia. Mithridates sent an ambassador, Orobazus, to Sulla, who had come into Asia B. C. 92, in order to restore Ariobarzanes I. to Cappadocia, and requested alliance with the Romans, which seems to have been granted. (Justin, 42.2; Plut. Salla, 5.) Justin (42.4) has confounded this king with Mithridates III., i. e. Arsaces XIII.