Unhappy with the growing Parthian influence at their doorstep, Roman Emperor Nero sent General Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo with a large army to the east in order to install Roman client kings (see Roman–Parthian War of 58–63). His special interests include pottery, architecture, world mythology and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share in common. Arsacid rulers intermittently (competing with Bagratuni princes) remained in control preserving their power to some extent, as border guardians (marzban) either under Byzantine or as a Persian protectorate, until 428. The list also mentions the non-dynastic rulers of Armenia as well as the periods of interregnum. This was an unfortunate choice, because the Sassanid king Shapur I defeated the Romans and made peace with the emperor Philip. [1] Armenia was between the Parthian and Roman Empires and both were trying to control it. Indeed, given the religious community, a not insignificant part of the Armenian population in those regions was practically Hellenized. In 298 CE, under the auspices of Diocletian (r. 284-305 CE), Armenia was unified with Tiridates IV (Trdat IV) as king (r. c. 298 - c. 330 CE) - one of the great rulers of the Arsacid dynasty. After the deaths of Tiridates II and his son Khosrov II, Shapur I installed his own son Hurmazd on the Armenian throne. The Arsacid dynasty of Armenia", Armenian History: Arshakuni dynasty by Levon Zekiyan, The Arshakuni dynasty of Armenia by Vahan M. Kurkjian, History of Education in Armenia – by Kevork A. Sarafian, G A Sarafean, The heritage of Armenian literature Vol.1 – by A. J. Territorial Expansion of the Sasanian Empireby Dcoetzee (CC BY-SA). "Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia." Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia. The current Parthian King Vologases I, saw an opportunity, invaded Armenia and succeeded in forcing the Iberians to withdraw from Armenia. In 301, Saint Gregory the Illuminator converted king Tiridates III and members of his court to Christianity[10] traditionally dated to 301 according to historian Mikayel Chamchian's “Patmutiun Hayots i Skzbane Ashkharhi Minchev tsam diarn” (1784).[11]. In reality, this merely gave it up to the Parthians but Armenia would continue to be disputed territory well into the 4th century CE. (Agop Jack) Hacikyan, Nourhan Ouzounian, Edward S. Franchuk, Gabriel Basmajian. Arsacid Kings reigned intermittently throughout the chaotic years following the fall of the Artaxiad Dynasty until 62 when Tiridates I secured Arsacid rule in Armenia. The decline of the Artaxiads was in part due to the internal factions which had been created by the nobility splitting into either pro-Roman or pro-Parthian factions when the kingdom was caught in regional power politics. Vologases I considered this as an act of aggression from Rome and restarted a campaign to restore Tiridates I back onto the Armenian throne. [5] Parthamasiris was dismissed and died mysteriously soon afterwards. Armenia was between the Parthian and Roman Empires and both were trying to control it. Two of the most notable events under Arsacid rule in Armenian history were the conversion of Armenia to Christianity by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 301 and the creation of the Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots in 405. This was probably the occasion that was celebrated by the statue of Tiridates that can be seen in the Louvre in Paris (a gold coin bearing the head of Nero has recently been found in Armenia). According to Movses Khorenatsi, Isaac of Armenia made a translation of the Gospel from the Syriac text about 411. The Sassanids stirred some nobles to revolt when Narseh left to take the Persian throne in 293. As so often before, Armenia continued to be a hotly disputed territory between Persia and Rome with both sides intervening directly into affairs of state and occasionally sending their armies to back their claims. | As a result of an epidemic within the Roman forces, Parthians retook most of their lost territory in 166 and forced Sohaemus to retreat to Syria. This page was last changed on 17 September 2020, at 08:50. Statius Silvae 5.1; Dio Cassius 68.17.1.; Arrian. After regaining power, according to Tacitus, the Iberian was so cruel that the Armenians stormed the palace and forced Radamistus out of the country and Vologases I get an opportunity to install his brother Tiridates on the throne. Then came a momentous policy change. Letters must be adjacent and longer words score better. ○ Boggle. Trajan declined their proposal and in August 114 captured Arsamosata where Parthamasiris asked to be crowned, but instead of crowning him he annexed his kingdom as a new province to the Roman Empire. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer), All translations of Arsacid dynasty of Armenia. This page was last changed on 17 September 2020, at 08:50. The first appearance of an Arsacid on the Armenian throne came about in 12 when the Parthian King Vonones I was exiled from Parthia due to his pro-Roman policies and Occidental manners. Armenia officially adopted Christianity c. 314 CE, if not earlier, as tradition records that Tiridates IV was converted in 301 CE by Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Envoys from Osroes I met Trajan at Athens, informing him that Axidares had been deposed and asking that Axidares' elder brother, Parthamasiris, be granted the throne. Surprisingly, Mithridates was summoned back to Rome where he was kept a prisoner, and Armenia was given back to Artabanus II who gave the throne to his younger son Orodes.