Elymais Drachm — Orodes II — Artemis

Kings of Elymais

Ruler: Orodes II

Period: Early to mid-2nd century AD

Denomination: AE Drachm (3.19 g; 16.5 mm)

Mint: Susa

Obverse: Diademed and draped bust facing slightly left; to right, star-in-crescent above inverted anchor with one crossbar at bottom

Reverse: Artemis facing right with a bow

Elymais was an ancient Iranian kingdom centered around Susa in southwestern Iran. Situated at the crossroads of the Iranian plateau, Mesopotamia, and the Hellenistic world, Elymais developed a distinctive culture that combined older Elamite and Iranian traditions with strong Hellenistic and Parthian influences. Although much less famous than Rome, Greece, or Byzantium, the kingdom's coinage offers a fascinating glimpse into a regional civilization that maintained its own rulers and artistic traditions within the wider political world of the Parthian East.

Orodes II ruled Elymais during the early to mid-2nd century AD, a period in which the kingdom existed within the broader political sphere of the Arsacid Parthian Empire. As with many Elymaean kings, relatively little is known about Orodes II from surviving historical accounts, making his coinage particularly important evidence for his reign. His portraits and distinctive royal symbols demonstrate the continuing development of Elymaean royal iconography within the broader cultural environment of the Iranian East.

This bronze drachm features a diademed and draped bust of Orodes II facing slightly left, accompanied by the characteristic star-in-crescent above an inverted anchor with a single crossbar. The reverse depicts Artemis facing right and holding a bow, a distinctly Hellenistic deity and artistic type appearing within the coinage of this Iranian kingdom. The combination of an Iranian royal portrait and Hellenistic divine imagery vividly illustrates the cultural blending characteristic of Elymais. Measuring 16.5 mm and weighing 3.19 g, this compact bronze drachm provides an especially clear example of the hybrid artistic traditions of the kingdom.