Tigranes the Great

This article is about a king of Armenia in the 1st century BCE. For other historical figures with the same name (including other kings of Armenia) see Tigranes.

Tigranes the Great (Armenian: Տիգրան Մեծ) (ruled 95 BCE-55 BCE) (also called Tigranes II and sometimes Tigranes I) was a king of Armenia. Tigranes was born around 140 BCE and was the son or nephew of Artavasdes I.

Early years

Tigranes had been a hostage until the age of 40 at the court of King Mithradates II of Parthia who defeated the Armenians in 105 BCE. After the death of King Tigranes I in 95 BCE, Tigranes bought his freedom by handing over "seventy valleys" in Atropatene (Azerbaijan) to the Parthians (Strabo 11.14.15).

He deposed Artanes, the last king of Armenian Sophene and a descendant of Zariadres(Strabo XI. 532). He invaded Cappadocia in 93 BCE on behalf of Mithradates II, but was driven back by Sulla in 92 BCE.

Alliance with Pontus

During the First Mithridatic War (90-85 BCE) he supported Mithridates VI of Pontus but was careful not to become directly involved in the war.

He rapidly built up his power, allying with Mithridates VI of Pontus and marrying his daughter Cleopatra. Ultimately the two kings' attempts to control Cappadocia resulted in Roman intervention, under the command of Lucius Cornelius Sulla.

Wars against the Parthian Empire

After the death of Mithradates II in 88 BCE, Tigranes took advantage of the fact that the Parthian Empire had been weakened by Scythian invasions and internal squabbling:

"When he acquired power, he recovered these (seventy) valleys, and devastated the country of the Parthians, the territory about Ninus (Nineveh), and that about Arbela. He subjected to his authority the Atropatenians (in Azerbaijan), and the Goryaeans (on the Upper Tigris); by force of arms he obtained possessiion also of the rest of Mesopotamia and, after crossing the Euphrates, of Syria and Phoenicea." Strabo, (XI.xiv.16)

Conquerer of the Seleucid Empire

In 83 BCE he conquered Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia, effectively putting an end to the Seleucid Empire, though a few holdout cities appear to have recognized the shadowy boy-king Seleucus VII Philometor as the legitimate king during his reign. The southern border of his domain reached as far as Ptolemais (modern Akko). Many of the inhabitants of conquered cities were sent to his new metropolis of Tigranakert or Tigranocerta.

At its height his empire extended from the Pontic Alps (in modern north-eastern Turkey) to Mesopotamia, and from the Caspian to the Mediterranean. Tigranes apparently invaded as far as Ecbatana and took the title king of kings which, at the time, according to their coins, even the Parthian kings did not assume.

Wars against Rome

In 68 BCE, the Roman general, Lucullus took Nisibis. On 6 October, 69 BCE Tigranes was defeated by the Romans at Tigranakert and, again, at the old capital of Artaxata on 6th October 68 BCE by Lucullus. Lucullus's troops staged three mutinies in 68-67 BCE, leading to the recall of Lucullus to Rome. Lucullus was then replaced by Gnaeus Pompey.

Tigranes defeated his younger son (also named Tigranes) who had been supplied an army by the Parthian king, Phraates III, who was then forced to seek protection with the Roman general, Pompey. Tigranes the Great then managed to recover much of his former territory.

Decline

But his empire was not a lasting one. In 66 BCE Pompey advanced into Armenia with the younger Tigranes and Tigranes the Great, now almost 75 years old, surrendered. Pompey treated him generously and returned some of the remnants of his kingdom in return for 6,000 talents of silver. His unfaithful son was sent back to Rome as a prisoner.

Tigranes continued to rule Armenia as a tributary of Rome until his death in 55 BCE.

He was succeeded as king of Armenia by his son, Artavasdes II.

References

Chahin, M. (1991). The Kingdom of Armenia. New York, Dorset Press. ISBN 0-88029-609-7
Frye, Richard N. 1984. The History of Ancient Iran. Richard N. Frye. München : Beck. ISBN 3-406-09397-3
Lang, David Marshall (1980). Armenia. Cradle of Civilisation. 1st Edition, London, George Allen & Unwin, 1970. 3rd Edition (Corrected). London, George Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-04-956009-3

Preceded by:
Philip I and Antiochus XII

Ruler of the Seleucid Empire

Succeeded by:
Antiochus XIII

95 BCE–55 BCE'''

Preceded by:
Tigranes I

'''King of Armenia

Succeeded by:
Artavasdes II

140 BC births | 56 BC deaths | Ancient Roman enemies and allies | Monarchs of Armenia