Artavasdes III of Armenia

Last updated

Artavasdes III of Armenia; [1] also known as Artavasdes II of Atropatene; [2] Artavasdes II of Media Atropatene and Armenia Major; [3] Artavasdes II [4] and Artavasdes [5] (20 BC – 6 AD [6] ) was a Prince who served as King of Media Atropatene. [7] During his reign of Media Atropatene, Artavasdes also served as a Roman Client King of Armenia Major. [8] [9]

Atropatene ancient kingdom, modern-day Iranian Azarbaijan and Kurdistan

Atropatene was an ancient kingdom established and ruled under local ethnic Iranian dynasties, first with Darius III of Persia and later Alexander the Great of Macedonia starting in the 4th century BC and includes the territory of modern-day northern Iran, and a small part of the contemporary Azerbaijan Republic. Its capital was Ganzak. Atropatene also was the nominal ancestor of the name of the historic Azerbaijan region in Iran.

Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity) ancient state of Armenia

The Kingdom of Armenia, also the Kingdom of Greater Armenia, or simply Greater Armenia, sometimes referred to as the Armenian Empire, was a monarchy in the Ancient Near East which existed from 321 BC to 428 AD. Its history is divided into successive reigns by three royal dynasties: Orontid, Artaxiad and Arsacid (52–428).

Contents

Family background and early life

Artavasdes was a monarch of Median, Armenian and Greek descent. He was the first son born to King Ariobarzanes II of Atropatene [10] by an unnamed wife. [11] He had a younger brother called Gaius Julius Ariobarzanes I and may have had a possible nephew called Gaius Julius Ariobarzanes II. [12] Artavasdes was the namesake of his paternal grandfather, a previous ruling King of Media Atropatene and Sophene, Artavasdes I. [13] He was born and raised in Media Atropatene.

Armenians ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland

Armenians are an ethnic group native to the Armenian Highlands.

The Greeks or Hellenes are an ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus, southern Albania, Italy, Turkey, Egypt and, to a lesser extent, other countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world.

Ariobarzanes II of Atropatene also known as Ariobarzanes of Media; Ariobarzanes of Armenia; Ariobarzanes II; Ariobarzanes II of Media Atropatene and Ariobarzanes was a Prince who served as King of Media Atropatene who ruled sometime from 28 BC to 20 BC until 4 and was appointed by the Roman emperor Augustus to serve as a Roman Client King of Armenia Major from 2 AD until 4.

Kingship of Media Atropatene and Armenia

The father of Artavasdes, Ariobarzanes II died on June 26, 4 [14] and Artavasdes succeeded his father as King of Media Atropatene and Armenia. [15] Like his father, Artavasdes in his kingship of Media Atropatene and Armenia, based his rule at Artagira, which his late father made the city, their capital. [16] As Artavasdes, was both King of Media Atropatene and Armenia, as King of Media Atropatene he is known as Artavasdes II and as King of Armenia, he is known as Artavasdes III.

Unfortunately, the reign of Artavasdes didn't last. As his father, as King was respected by his subjects, [17] this was the opposite for Artavasdes. As a ruling King, over the Atropatenians and Armenians, he proved to be an unpopular monarch. In 6, [18] Artavasdes was quickly killed [19] by his subjects.

In his Kingship of Media Atropatene, Artavasdes was succeeded by his paternal first cousin Artabanus and in the Kingship of Armenia the Roman emperor Augustus, appointed the Herodian Prince Tigranes. [20] Artavasdes from an unnamed wife was survived by a son called Gaius Julius Artavasdes. [21]

Roman emperor ruler of the Roman Empire

The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman Empire during the imperial period. The emperors used a variety of different titles throughout history. Often when a given Roman is described as becoming "emperor" in English, it reflects his taking of the title Augustus or Caesar. Another title often used was imperator, originally a military honorific. Early Emperors also used the title princeps. Emperors frequently amassed republican titles, notably princeps senatus, consul and pontifex maximus.

Augustus First emperor of the Roman Empire

Augustus was a Roman statesman and military leader who was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire, controlling Imperial Rome from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. His status as the founder of the Roman Principate has consolidated an enduring legacy as one of the most effective and controversial leaders in human history. The reign of Augustus initiated an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana. The Roman world was largely free from large-scale conflict for more than two centuries, despite continuous wars of imperial expansion on the Empire's frontiers and the year-long civil war known as the "Year of the Four Emperors" over the imperial succession.

Tigranes V of Armenia Armenian sovereign

Tigranes V, also known as Tigran V was a Herodian Prince who served as a Roman Client King of Armenia from the years 6 to 12.

Coinage and inscription evidence

Coinage has survived from the reign of Artavasdes. They have been dated from 2 until 10. [22] An example of this is on one surviving coin dated from his reign, is on the obverse side shows the head of Augustus with the Greek inscription ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ which means of Caesar, the God, the Benefactor, while on the reverse side shows the head of Artavasdes, with the Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΤΑΥΑΖΔΟΥ which means of Great King Artavasdes. [23]

Artavasdes is mentioned in paragraphs 27 and 33 of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti. In Rome, two Epitaph inscriptions have been found bearing the name of an Artavasdes. The Epitaphs are probably of the son and the grandson of a Median Atropatenian King called Ariobarzanes. [24] However it is uncertain, if the Ariobarzanes refers to Ariobarzanes I or Ariobarzanes II. [25]

Note

Although archaeological evidence reveals and shows that Artavasdes is the son of Ariobarzanes II, there is some confusion, and there are different, various theories on the origins of Artavasdes. Some modern historical sources and reference books state that he is a son of Artavasdes II of Armenia. While others state he is either a brother or a paternal first cousin of Tigranes IV and Erato. In fact, Artavasdes through his father was a distant relative of Artavasdes II of Armenia, Tigranes IV and Erato.

Related Research Articles

Artavasdes II of Armenia Armenian king

Artavasdes II was a King of the Kingdom of Armenia from 55 BC until 34 BC and a member of the Artaxiad Dynasty. He was a son of king Tigranes the Great of Armenia and Cleopatra of Pontus, his maternal grandfather was king Mithridates IV of Pontus. Artavasdes II was an ally of Rome and when Marcus Licinius Crassus the Roman proconsul of Syria prepared an invasion of the Parthian Empire Artavasdes offered his assistance. Crassus, not willing to share the glory and spoils of defeating the Parthians, refused Artavasdes offer. The Romans suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of the Parthian general Surenas while Orodes II, the Parthian king, invaded Armenia and forced Artavasdes to join the Parthians, he gave his sister in marriage to Orodes' son and heir Pacorus.

Artabanus III of Parthia ruler of the Parthian Empire ? – 38

Artabanus III of Parthia, flourished second half of 1st century BC – AD 38, was a Prince of Iranian and Greek ancestry. Artabanus III served as a King of Media Atropatene and later as King of Parthia.

Vonones II

Vonones II of Parthia was a Parthian prince who served as a King of Media Atropatene and briefly as King of the Parthian Empire.

Artaxias II Prince of Armenian

Artaxias II, also known as Artaxes II and Artashes was a Prince of the Kingdom of Armenia and member of the Artaxiad Dynasty King of Armenia from 30 BC until 20 BC.

Archelaus of Cappadocia Roman client prince and the last king of Cappadocia

Archelaus was a Roman client prince and the last king of Cappadocia.

Artaxiad dynasty dynasty

The Artaxiad dynasty or Ardaxiad dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Armenia from 189 BC until their overthrow by the Romans in AD 12. Their realm included Greater Armenia, Sophene and intermittently Lesser Armenia and parts of Mesopotamia. Their main enemies were the Romans, the Seleucids and the Parthians, against whom the Armenians had to conduct multiple wars.

Erato of Armenia Armenian sovereign

Erato also known as Queen Erato was a princess of the Kingdom of Armenia and member of the Artaxiad Dynasty. She served as Roman client queen of Armenia from 10 BC until 2 BC with her brother-husband King Tigranes IV. After living in political exile for a number of years, she co-ruled as Roman client queen of Armenia from 6 until 12 with the Herodian Prince Tigranes V, her distant paternal relative. As a queen of Armenia, she may be viewed as one of the last hereditary rulers of her nation.

Tigranes III King of Armenia

Tigranes III was a Prince of the Kingdom of Armenia and member of the Artaxiad Dynasty who served as a Roman Client King of Armenia

Tigranes VI, also known as Tigran VI or by his Roman name Gaius Julius Tigranes was a Herodian Prince and served as a Roman Client King of Armenia in the 1st century.

Tigranes IV Armenian sovereign

Tigranes IV was a Prince of the Kingdom of Armenia and member of the Artaxiad Dynasty who served as a Roman Client King of Armenia from 8 BC until 5 BC and 2 BC until 1 AD.

Artavasdes I of Media Atropatene

Artavasdes I of Media Atropatene, also known as Artavasdes I of Atropatene, Artavasdes I and Artavasdes was a Prince who served as a King of Media Atropatene. Artavasdes I was an enemy of King Artavasdes II of Armenia and his son Artaxias II. He was a contemporary with the Ptolemaic Greek Queen Cleopatra VII and Roman Triumvir Mark Antony, as Artavasdes I was mentioned in their diplomatic affairs.

Mithridates I of Media Atropatene, sometimes known as Mithridates I and Mithridates of Media was a King of Media Atropatene.

Ariobarzanes I of Media Atropatene, also known as Ariobarzanes I of Media, Ariobarzanes of Atropatene, Ariobarzanes I and Ariobarzanes was a Prince who served as a King of Media Atropatene.

Athenais was a Princess from the Kingdom of Commagene whom through marriage became a Queen of Media Atropatene and possibly of Sophene.

Asinnalus of Media Atropatene was a Prince who served as a King of Media Atropatene.

There is an incomplete list of governors of Azerbaijan, a region in northwestern Iran.

References

  1. ↑ A Chronology of the Roman Empire, p.365
  2. ↑ Swan, The Augustan Succession: An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio’s Roman History, Books 55–56 (9 B.C.–A.D. 14), p. 114
  3. ↑ Swan, The Augustan Succession: An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio’s Roman History, Books 55-56 (9 B.C.–A.D. 14), p. 115
  4. ↑ Ptolemaic Genealogy: Affiliated Lines, Descendant Lines Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine .
  5. ↑ Bunson, Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire, p. 36
  6. ↑ Ptolemaic Genealogy: Affiliated Lines, Descendant Lines Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine .
  7. ↑ Azerbaijan iii. Pre-Islamic History, Atropates, Persian satrap of Media, made himself independent in 321 B.C. Thereafter Greek and Latin writers named the territory as Media Atropatene or, less frequently, Media Minor: Parthian period
  8. ↑ Swan, The Augustan Succession: An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio’s Roman History, Books 55–56 (9 B.C.–A.D. 14), pp. 114–115
  9. ↑ A Chronology of the Roman Empire, p. 365
  10. ↑ Swan, The Augustan Succession: An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio’s Roman History, Books 55–56 (9 B.C.–A.D. 14), p.p. 114–115
  11. ↑ Ptolemaic Genealogy: Affiliated Lines, Descendant Lines Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine .
  12. ↑ Ptolemaic Genealogy: Affiliated Lines, Descendant Lines Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine .
  13. ↑ Swan, The Augustan Succession: An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio’s Roman History, Books 55–56 (9 B.C.–A.D. 14), p. 114
  14. ↑ A Chronology of the Roman Empire, p. 365
  15. ↑ Azerbaijan iii. Pre-Islamic History, Atropates, Persian satrap of Media, made himself independent in 321 B.C. Thereafter Greek and Latin writers named the territory as Media Atropatene or, less frequently, Media Minor: Parthian period
  16. ↑ Bunson, Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire, pp. 36, 47
  17. ↑ Bunson, Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire, p.36
  18. ↑ Ptolemaic Genealogy: Affiliated Lines, Descendant Lines Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine .
  19. ↑ Bunson, Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire, p. 36
  20. ↑ Temporini, Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt: Geschichte und Kultur Roms im spiegel der neueren Forschung, p. 1164
  21. ↑ Ptolemaic Genealogy: Affiliated Lines, Descendant Lines Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine .
  22. ↑ Regal coinage of Armenia – Artavasdes III
  23. ↑ Regal coinage of Armenia – Artavasdes III
  24. ↑ Azerbaijan iii. Pre-Islamic History, Atropates, Persian satrap of Media, made himself independent in 321 B.C. Thereafter Greek and Latin writers named the territory as Media Atropatene or, less frequently, Media Minor: Parthian period
  25. ↑ Azerbaijan iii. Pre-Islamic History, Atropates, Persian satrap of Media, made himself independent in 321 B.C. Thereafter Greek and Latin writers named the territory as Media Atropatene or, less frequently, Media Minor: Parthian period

Sources

Regnal titles
Preceded by
Ariobarzanes II 		King of Atropatene
4 – 6		Succeeded by
Artabanus III
King of Armenia
4 – 6		Succeeded by
Tigranes V
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.