Monobazus I

Monobazus I ruled Adiabene and was the husband of Helena and father of Izates II and Monobazus II.

Josephus describes Monobazus, also called Bazeus, as king of Adiabene. He married Helena, whom Josephus describes as his sister, and they had sons including Monobazus and Izates. The king favored Izates, creating tension with his other sons. To protect him, Monobazus sent Izates to the court of Abennerigus, ruler of Characene, where he married Samacha. Later Monobazus designated Izates as his successor. When the king died, Helena and the nobles placed the elder son Monobazus temporarily in charge until Izates returned. This succession arrangement is an unusually detailed account of the royal politics of a small Parthian-associated kingdom. The exact dates of Monobazus I's reign are uncertain.

Monobazus I established the immediate family setting for the conversion of Helena and Izates II to Judaism. Josephus also preserves an unusually detailed story of his succession planning.

Monobazus rules Adiabene. He marries Helena. His sons Monobazus and Izates are born. He sends Izates to Characene for safety. He names Izates as successor. After his death, the elder Monobazus temporarily governs until Izates returns.

Monobazus I is not named in the Bible. His family's later interest in Judaism and Jerusalem provides historical background for the Jewish world of the first century AD.

Acts 11:27–30 (general first-century setting only)

Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 20.2.1–2; Encyclopaedia Iranica, Adiabene.

Josephus reports Monobazus I's death before Izates II assumed the throne; his burial place is not securely established.