Orodes

Orodes is the Latinized form of a male given name of Middle Iranian origin popularized by Parthians. In Greek it is recorded as Orōdēs (Ὀρώδης), Hērōdēs (Ἡρώδης), Hurōdēs (Ὑρώδης,^[1] in Latin: Hyrōdēs), and once as Ouorōdēs (Οὐορώδην).^[2] It is recorded in Shapur I's trilingual inscription at the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht as Greek (§67) Ouorōd (Οὐορωδ), Middle Persian (§35) wyrwd (𐭥𐭩𐭥𐭥𐭣 Wērōy,^[1] Wīroy,^[3] Wirōy^[4]) and Parthian (§28) wrwd (𐭅𐭓𐭅𐭃 Wērōd,^[1] Urūd^[3]). The older form is probably Wērōd, supposedly developed into a regional Werōd, and later Worōd.^[5] The Middle Persian is also recorded with the spelling wyrwy^[1] and wylwd.^[6] It is recorded in New Persian as Wērō (ویرو, "Viru"), name of a character in Vis o Ramin, a romance of Parthian origin.^[5]

Orodes

Gender	male
Origin
Language	Middle Iranian
Meaning	Uncertain
Region of origin	Greater Iran
Other names
Variant forms	Ouorodes Hyrodes Worod Worodes Vorod Vorodes Urud Viru
Derivative	Herod
Derived	Uncertain

The name is recorded as wrwd in Syriac and Aramaic texts from Egypt (spelled wrd instead), Elymais, Palmyra, Hatra, Dura-Europos, and possibly Assur. The Parthian name is also attested in Late Babylonian (^mú-ru-da-a).^[2]

The etymology of the word is disputed.^[2]

People named Orodes include:

Kings of Parthia:

• Orodes I of Parthia (died 75 BC)
• Orodes II of Parthia (died 37 BC)
• Orodes III of Parthia (died 6 AD)

Kings of Elymais:

• Orodes I of Elymais, reigned c. 50-100 AD?^[7]
• Orodes II of Elymais, son and successor of Orodes I^[8]
• Orodes III (fl. 2nd century)
• Orodes IV of Elymais, reigned beginning sometime between 165-170 AD?^[8]
• Orodes V (fl. 3rd century)

Others:

• Orodes of Armenia, Roman client king of Armenia in 35 AD and from 37 until 42

See also

• Septimius Worod, a Palmyrene official
• Worod, a king of the Kingdom of Hatra
• Herod (disambiguation)