Editing Mithridates II of Parthia (section)

== Parentage ==
The identity of Mithridates II's father is uncertain. According to 2nd-century Roman historian [[Justin (historian)|Justin]], Mithridates II was a son of his predecessor, [[Artabanus I of Parthia|Artabanus I]].{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=27}} A [[cuneiform]] tablet from 119 BC, however, cites Mithridates II; "of the Gutians who killed my brother Artabanus, and I set up (troops) opposite them and fought it with them; a great killing I performed among them; except two men."{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=27}}

*Son of [[Priapatius]]: According to Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis (2019), Mithridates II was referring to Artabanus I as his brother in the cuneiform.{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=27}} She argues that Mithridates II was a son of Priapatius (also spelled Friapatak), which is also supported by an [[ostracon]] created in 91/90 BC in [[Nisa, Turkmenistan|Nisa]]. On the ostracon, a Parthian king, most likely Mithridates II's son [[Gotarzes I|Gotarzes]], is mentioned as "Arsaces King, grandson of Friapatak [who is] the son of the nephew of Arsaces [I]."{{sfn|Curtis|2019|p=27}}
*Son of Artabanus I: Olbrycht (2010), however, suggests that Mithridates II was not Artabanus I's brother, but a son of his. He states that Mithridates II would have been a middle aged man the time of his accession, due to Priapatius dying in 176 BC.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2010|p=151}} According to Olbrycht, "While not impossible, it is historically unlikely since Mithradates II's natural contestants for the throne would have been the sons of [[Phraates II]] and Mithridates I."{{sfn|Olbrycht|2010|p=151}} Unlike Mithridates I and Artabanus I (who were the sons of Priapatius), Mithridates II did not use the title of ''Theopatoros'' ("whose father is a god").{{sfn|Olbrycht|2010|p=151}}{{sfn|Curtis|2012|p=69}} This brother named Artabanus is not referred to as king in cuneiform, and was most likely a high-ranking officer who died in war.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2010|p=151}}