Royal formula of Parthian coinage
Greek inscriptions similar to "ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ", meaning " of king of kings Arsaces, the benefactor, the just, the illustrious, friend of the Greeks ", are found on coins of the Parthian Empire, starting from the reign of Artabanus I. Some variations of this inscription exist.
The name Arsaces indicates the Arsacid dynasty and appears until the period of Phraates IV.
Transliteration
BASILEOS BASILEON ARSAKOU EUERGETOU DIKAIOU EPIPHANOUS PHILHELLENOS.Literal translation
Some of the more frequent epithets appearing in the royal formula:- ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ = Of the King of kings
- ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ = the Great
- ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ = Arsaces
- ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ = Euergetes, the Benefactor
- ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ = Autokratōr, absolute ruler
- ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ = Dikaios, the Just
- ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ = Epiphanes, the Illustrious
- ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ = Philopator, father-loving
- ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ = Philhellene, the Friend of the Greeks