VARDANES I  ., succeeded Artabanus II., probably his father, in A.D . 40 (Joseph . Ant. xx . 3, 4), but had continually to fight against his rival Gotarzes (q.v.) . The coins show that he was in full possession of the throne from 42 to 45 . In 43 he forced Seleucia on the Tigris to submit to the Parthians again after a rebellion of seven years (Tac . Ann. xi . 9) . Ctesiphon, the residence of the kings on the left bank of the Tigris, opposite to Seleucia, naturally profited by this war; and Vardanes is therefore called founder of Ctesiphon by Ammianus Marc. xxiii . 6 . 23 . He also prepared for a war against Rome, with the aim of reconquering Armenia (cf .

Joseph, Ant. xx . 3, 4), but did not dare to

face the Roman legions (Tac . Ann. xi . 1o) . In a new war with Gotarzes he gained a great success against the eastern nomads . He is praised by Tacitus as a young and highly gifted ruler of great energy (cf . Philostratus, Vita Apollon . Tyan. i . 21 . 28), but lacking in humanity . In the summer of 45 he was assassinated while hunting, and Gotarzes became king again .