Arsacidae

Arsacidae, a dynasty of Parthian kings, so called from the name of its founder, Arsaces, who wrested a kingdom for himself from the feeble grasp of the Seleucid Antiochus II. about 250 B.C. Its greatest kings were Mithridates, Phraates, Mithridates 'the great,' Volagases I., and Artabanus, who lost his crown and his life at Hormizdjan, in 227 A.D., in his attempt to stem the conquering career of Ardashir, founder of the Sassanian dynasty. See ARMENIA, and PARTHIA.