Numbering of the Kings of the Parthian Empire

1. Foundation and consolidation (247–138 BC)

1. Arsaces I (247–211 BC): Founder of the Arsacid dynasty, he led the Parni and established the independence of Parthia from the Seleucids.

2. Arsaces II (211–185 BC): Resisted the invasion of Antiochus III, maintaining Parthian autonomy although under Seleucid pressure.

3. Priapatios (185–170 BC): Recaptured the capital and consolidated control over Parthia after the Seleucid withdrawal.

4. Phraates I (170–165 BC): Expanded Parthian territory to the east, laying the groundwork for future conquests.

5. Mithridates I (171–138 BC): Transformed Parthia into an empire, conquering Media and Babylon, and defeating Demetrius II Nicator.

2. Imperial rise and conflicts with Rome (138–57 BC)

6. Phraates II (138–127 BC): Defended the empire from Scythian and Seleucid invasions, dying in combat.

7. Artabanus I (127–124 BC): He died fighting the nomads, showing the vulnerability of the Parthian borders.

8. Mithridates II (124–88 BC): Known as 'the Great', he established diplomatic relations with China and Rome.

9. Gotharches I (91–87 BC): He proclaimed himself king in the midst of civil wars, fragmenting Parthian power.

10. Orodes I (87–80 BC): He ruled during a period of internal instability.

11. Sinatruces (77–70 BC): He recovered the throne in his old age, in a context of dynastic struggles.

12. Phraates III (70–57 BC): Reigned during the transition to the Dark Ages.

3. Dark Age and Restoration (57–37 BC)

13. Mithridates III (57–54 BC): Claimed the throne with Roman support, but was defeated and executed by his brother.

14. Orodes II (57–37 BC): He restored Parthian prestige by defeating Rome at Carrhae, but his reign ended in family tragedy.

4. Rise and rivalry with Rome (37 BC–224 AD)

15. Phraates IV (37–2 BC): He signed peace with Augustus and returned the Roman eagles captured at Carrhae.

16. Phraates V (2 BC–4 AD): He ruled briefly alongside his mother Musa, before being deposed.

17. Orodes III (4–6 AD): His short reign reflects the dynasty's succession instability.

18. Vonones I (8–12 AD): Educated in Rome, he was rejected by the Parthian nobility for his Romanization.

19. Artabanus II (12–38 AD): Reestablished central authority and faced several internal rebellions.

20. Gotharces II (38–51 AD): His reign was marked by struggle against rival claimants.

21. Vonones II (51 AD): He reigned for only a few months, being succeeded by his son.

22. Vologases I (51–78 AD): He attempted to consolidate Parthian power in Armenia, confronting Rome.

23. Pacorus II (78–105 AD): He maintained the throne against several usurpers and Roman pressure.

24. Vologases II (80–90 AD): He reigned in parallel in part of the territory (sometimes omitted in some lists).

25. Osroes I (109–129 AD): His confrontation with Trajan led to the Roman occupation of Ctesiphon.

26. Vologases III (105–147 AD): He reigned during a period of fragmentation and civil wars.

27. Mithridates IV (129–140 AD): He shared the throne amid internal disputes.

28. Vologases IV (147–191 AD): Restored the unity of the empire and resisted Roman incursions.

29. Vologases V (191–208 AD): His reign coincided with the beginning of the Parthian decline.

30. Vologases VI (208–228 AD): Lost control to the Sassanid rebellion.

31. Artabanus IV (213–224 AD): Last Parthian king, he was defeated by Ardashir I, marking the end of the Arsacid dynasty.

All Parthian kings of the Arsacid dynasty adopted the name "Arsaces" as their royal title in honor of Arsaces I, the founder of the dynasty and the Parthian Empire in the 3rd century BC.