Orodes
| Gender | male |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Language | Middle Iranian |
| Meaning | Uncertain |
| Region of origin | Greater Iran |
| Other names | |
| Variant forms |
|
| Derivative | Herod |
| Derived | Uncertain |
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, in Latin: Hyrōdēs), and once as Ouorōdēs (Οὐορώδην). 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, Wīroy, Wirōy) and Parthian (§28) wrwd (𐭅𐭓𐭅𐭃 Wērōd, Urūd). The older form is probably Wērōd, supposedly developed into a regional Werōd, and later Worōd. The Middle Persian is also recorded with the spelling wyrwy and wylwd. It is recorded in New Persian as Wērō (ویرو, "Viru"), name of a character in Vis o Ramin, a romance of Parthian origin.
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).
The etymology of the word is disputed.
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?
- Orodes II of Elymais, son and successor of Orodes I
- Orodes III (fl. 2nd century)
- Orodes IV of Elymais, reigned beginning sometime between 165-170 AD?
- Orodes V (fl. 3rd century)
Others:
- Orodes of Armenia, Roman client king of Armenia in 35 AD and from 37 until 42