A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

VOLOGESES IV., probably ascended the throne in the reign of Commodus. In the contest between Pescennius Niger and Severus for the empire, A. D. 193, the Parthians sent troops to the assistance of the former ; and accordingly when Niger was conquered, Severus marched against the Parthians. He was accompanied by a brother of Vologeses. His invasion was quite unexpected and completely successful. He took Ctesiphon after an obstinate resistance in A. D. 199, and gave it to his soldiers to plunder, but did not permanently occupy it. Herodian appears to be mistaken in saying that this happened in the reign of Artabanus. (Herodian. 3.1, 9, 10; D. C. 75.9; Spartian. Sever. cc. 15, 16.) Reimar (ad Dio Cass. l.c.) supposes that this Vologeses is the same Vologeses, son of Sanatruces, king of Armenia, to whom, Dio Cassius tells us, that Severus granted part of Armenia; but the account of Dio Cassius is very confused. On the death of Vologeses IV., at the beginning of the reign of Caracalla, Parthia was torn asunder by contests for the crown between the sons of Vologeses. (D. C. 77.12.)