The Artaxiad Dynasty ruled 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 Seleucids and the Parthians, against whom the Armenians had to conduct multiple wars. The Armenian Highland shows traces of settlement from the Neolithic era. ... Hayasa-Azzi or Azzi-Hayasa was a confederation formed between the Kingdoms of Hayasa located South of Trabzon and Azzi, located North of the Euphrates and to the South of Hayasa. ... Urartu at its greatest extent 743 BC Urartu (Biainili in Urartian) was an ancient kingdom in the mountainous plateau between Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, and Caucasus mountains, later known as the Armenian Highland, and it centered around Lake Van (present-day eastern Turkey). ... The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (sometimes referred to as Armenia Minor) was a state formed in the Middle Ages by Armenian refugees fleeing the Seljuk invasion of Armenia. ... The Orontid Dynasty was the first Armenian dynasty. ... Sophene as part of the Empire of Tigranes The Kingdom of Sophene (Armenian: ) was an ancient Armenian kingdom. ... Map showing Commagene as a tributary kingdom of the Armenian Empire under Tigranes the Great. ... The Arsacid Dynasty (Arshakuni Dynasty) ruled the Kingdom of Armenia from AD 54 to 428. ... The medieval history of Armenia covers the history of Armenia during the Middle Ages. ... Marzpanate period is the time in Armenian history after the fall of the Arshakuni Dynasty of Armenia in 428, when most of Armenia was governed by Marzbans (Governors-general of the boundaries), nominated by the Sassanid Persian King. ... Byzantine Armenia is the name given to the Armenian part of the Byzantine Empire. ... The Arab conquest of Armenia was a part of the Muslim conquests which began after the death of the prophet Muhammad. ... The Bagratuni or Bagratid royal dynasty of Armenia (Armenian: Բագրատունյաց Ô±Ö€Ö„Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Տոհմ or Bagratunyac Arqayakan Tohm) is a royal family whose branches formerly ruled many regional polities, including Armenian lands of Syunik, Lori, Vaspurakan, Kars, Taron, and Tayk. ... Vaspurakan was a province and then kingdom of Greater Armenia during the Middle Ages. ... The Kingdom of Cilician Armenia, 1199-1375. ... Zakarid Armenia Ca. ... Persian Armenia, AD 387-591 Persian Armenia corresponds to the Armenian territory controlled by Persia throughout history. ... Patriarch Harutyun I The Ottoman rule of Armenia or Ottoman Armenia, beginning with the rule of Selim II (1524 – 1574) becomes the integral part of the Ottoman Empire. ... Eastern Armenia or Russian Armenia is the portion of Ottoman Armenia that was ceded to the Russian Empire following the Russo-Turkish War, 1828-1829. ... Contemporary political cartoon portraying Hamid as a butcher of the Armenians During the long reign of Sultan Hamid, unrest and rebellion occurred in many areas of the Ottoman Empire. ... Armenian Genocide photo. ... Motto None Anthem Mer Hayrenik (Our Fatherland) Map of the Democratic Republic of Armenia from March 1919 to March 1920. ... State motto: ÕŠÖ€Õ¸Õ¬Õ¥Õ¿Õ¡Ö€Õ¶Õ¥Ö€ Õ¢Õ¸Õ¬Õ¸Ö€ Õ¥Ö€Õ¯Ö€Õ¶Õ¥Ö€Õ«, միացեք! (Workers of the world, unite!) Official language None. ... The military history of Armenia encompasses a period of several thousand years, as the Armenian people have existed as a nation since the Early Bronze Age. ... // 883 BC: Foundation of the Kingdom of Urartu with Aramé. 834-828 BC: Reign of Sarduri I who constructs Tushpa (Van). ... Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC - 180s BC - 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC Years: 194 BC 193 BC 192 BC 191 BC 190 BC - 189 BC - 188 BC 187 BC... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... This article is about the year 12. ... // Prehistory Archaeologists refer to the Shulaveri-Shomu culture of the central Transcaucasus region, including modern Armenia, as the earliest known prehistoric culture in the area, carbon-dated to roughly 6000 - 4000 BC. However, a recently discovered tomb has been dated to 9000 BC. Another early culture in the Armenian Highland... Roman province of Sophene, 120 CE Armenia Sophene was a short-lived (c. ... Mesopotamia was a cradle of civilization geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq. ... Seleucus I Nicator (Nicator, the Victor) (around 358–281 BC) was one of Alexander the Greats generals who, after Alexanders death in 323 BC, founded the Seleucid Empire. ... Reproduction of a Parthian warrior as depicted on Trajans Column The Parthian Empire was the dominating force on the Iranian plateau beginning in the late 3rd century BCE, and intermittently controlled Mesopotamia between ca 190 BCE and 224 CE. Origins Bust of Parthian soldier, Esgh-abad Museum, Turkmenia. ...

Historical background

Standard of the Artaxiad Dynasty

In 201 BC Antiochus III the Great conquers Greater Armenia and Sophene with his Armenian generals(strategoi) Artaxias and Zariadres overthrowing the Orontid Dynasty who are only left with control of Commagene although reduced to the status of a vassal. Antiochus appoints Artaxias as satrap of Greater Armenia and Zariadres as satrap of Sophene. Following the defeat of Antiochus by the Romans at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC, Artaxias and his co-satrap Zariadres revolted and, with Roman consent, began to reign autonomously; Artaxias over Greater Armenia and Zariadres over Sophene. Lesser Armenia and Commagene regained their independence as well. Image File history File links Artaxiad_standard. ... Image File history File links Artaxiad_standard. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC - 200s BC - 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC Years: 206 BC 205 BC 204 BC 203 BC 202 BC - 201 BC - 200 BC 199 BC... Silver coin of Antiochus III. The reverse shows Apollo seated on an omphalos. ... The term strategos (Greek στρατηγός) is used in Greek to mean general. In the Byzantine Empire the term was also used to describe a military governor (see Byzantine aristocracy and bureaucracy). ... Artaxias I (also called Artaxes or Artashes) (reigned 190 BCE-159 BCE) was one of the founders of the kingdom of Armenia and its first independent ruler. ... Zariadres I (died 190 BC) was King of Sophene and the son of Xerses I and Antiochis of Syria. ... The Orontid Dynasty was the first Armenian dynasty. ... Roman province of Commagene, 120 CE Commagene (Greek Kομμαγηνη Kommagênê) was a small sometime kingdom, located in modern south-central Turkey, with its capital at Samosata (modern Samsat, near the Euphrates). ... Look up satrap in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article refers to the state which existed from the 6th century BC to the 1st century BC. For alternate meanings, see Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). ... Combatants Roman Republic Seleucid Empire Commanders Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus Scipio Africanus Eumenes II of Pergamum Antiochus III the Great Strength 50. ... Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC 200s BC - 190s BC - 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC 140s BC Years: 195 BC 194 BC 193 BC 192 BC 191 BC - 190 BC - 189 BC 188 BC... Zariadres I (died 190 BC) was King of Sophene and the son of Xerses I and Antiochis of Syria. ... // Prehistory Archaeologists refer to the Shulaveri-Shomu culture of the central Transcaucasus region, including modern Armenia, as the earliest known prehistoric culture in the area, carbon-dated to roughly 6000 - 4000 BC. However, a recently discovered tomb has been dated to 9000 BC. Another early culture in the Armenian Highland... Roman province of Sophene, 120 CE Armenia Sophene was a short-lived (c. ...

Consolidation of Armenian lands under Artaxias

Artaxias is regarded as one of the most important kings in Armenian history. He presented himself as a legitimate descendant of Orontids, although it is unknown if he was in fact related to that dynasty. In the beginning of his rule, parts of the Armenian Highlands with Armenian speaking populations remained under the rule of neighbouring states. Artaxias made the reunification of those lands under his domain a priority. Greek geographer and historian Strabo recounts the conquests of Artaxias towards West, East, North and South as well as stating that the population of those territories was Armenian speaking. Strabo, Geography, book 11, chapter 14: Armenian Highland (Armenian Upland) is part of the Transcaucasian Highland and constitutes the continuation of the Caucasus mountains. ... The Greek geographer Strabo in a 16th century engraving. ...

According to report, Armenia, though a small country in earlier times, was enlarged by Artaxias and Zariadris, who formerly were generals of Antiochus the Great, but later, after his defeat, reigned as kings (the former as king of Sophene, Acisene, Odomantis, and certain other countries, and the latter as king of the country round Artaxata), and jointly enlarged their kingdoms by cutting off for themselves parts of the surrounding nations,--I mean by cutting off Caspiane and Phaunitis and Basoropeda from the country of the Medes; and the country along the side of Mt. Paryadres and Chorsene and Gogarene, which last is on the far side of the Cyrus River, from that of the Iberians; and Carenitis and Xerxene, which border on Lesser Armenia or else are parts of it, from that of the Chalybians and the Mosynoeci; and Acilisene and the country round the Antitaurus from that of the Cataonians; and Taronitis from that of the Syrians; and therefore they all speak the same language.

Artaxias also founded the Armenian capital Artaxata with the aid of Carthagian general Hannibal who was being sheltered from the Romans within Artaxias' court. The population of the previous Orontid capital of Ervandashat was transferred to Artaxata. Over a dozen stone boundary markers have been discovered on the territory of modern Armenia from the time of the reign of Artaxias with Aramaic inscriptions, before their discovery the existence of these stones was attested by Moses of Khorene. In these inscriptions Artaxias claims descent from the Orontid Dynasty: King Artaxias, the son of Orontid Zariadres. City plan of Artaxatas hill I and its fortifications. ... Roman Carthage with former military harbor Carthage (Greek: , Latin: , from the Phoenician meaning new town; Arabic: ) refers both to an ancient city in Tunisia and to the civilization that developed within the citys sphere of influence. ... For other uses, see Hannibal (disambiguation). ... A slate boundary stone on Maesglase A boundary marker or boundary stone is a robust physical marker that identifies the start of a land boundary or the change in a boundary, especially a change in a direction of a boundary. ... Aramaic is a Semitic language with a four-thousand year history. ... Moses of Chorene was an Armenian scholar, who lived in the fifth century. ...

Armenian Empire

The Armenian Empire under Tigranes the Great

During the reign of Tigranes the Great (95 BC - 55 BC) Armenia was at the zenith of its power and briefly became the most powerful state to the Roman east. Artaxias and his followers had already constructed the base upon which Tigranes built his empire. Despite this fact, the territory of Armenia, being a mountainous one, was governed by nakharars who were largely autonomous from the central authority. Tigranes unified them in order to create internal security in the kingdom.The borders of Armenia stretched from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. At that time, the Armenians had become so expansive, that the Romans and Parthians had to join forces in order to beat them. Tigranes found a more central capital within his domain and named it Tigranocerta. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (700x711, 61 KB) The Armenian Empire. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (700x711, 61 KB) The Armenian Empire. ... The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (sometimes referred to as Armenia Minor) was a state formed in the Middle Ages by Armenian refugees fleeing the Seljuk invasion of Armenia. ... 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. ... 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. ... This article refers to the state which existed from the 6th century BC to the 1st century BC. For alternate meanings, see Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). ... Nakharar (Armenian: , plural Armenian Nakhararq, Նախարարք, meaning first born) was a hereditary title of the highest order for the ancient and medieval Armenian nobility. ... The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the worlds largest lake or a full-fledged sea. ... Composite satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea. ... Tigranocerta (also spelled Dikranagerd) was the capital of the Armenian Empire that Tigranes the Great founded (95‑56BC) south of the present city of Diyarbakır, Turkey. ...

Large chunks of lands were taken from Parthians, who were forced to sign a treaty of friendship with Tigranes. Iberia, Albania, and Atropatene also lost territories and the remainder of their Kingdoms became vassal states. The Greeks within the Seleucid Empire offered Tigranes the Seleucid crown in 83, after which the Armenian Empire reached as far south as modern Acre, Israel resulting in a conflict with Hasmoneans. Ancient countries of Caucasus: Armenia, Iberia, Colchis and Albania Iberia was a name given by the ancient Greeks and Romans to the ancient Georgian kingdom of Kartli (4th century BC-5th century AD) corresponding roughly to the eastern and southern parts of the present day Georgia. ... Azerbaijan or Azerbeijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan, Azərbeycan) is a country in the Caucaus region, adjacent to the Caspian Sea. ... For other uses, see number 83. ... The Kingdom of Armenia (or Greater Armenia) was an independent kingdom from (approximately 355 years) 190 BC to AD 165, and a client state of the Roman Empire from 165 to 428. ... “Akko” redirects here. ... The Hasmoneans (Hebrew: , Hashmonaiym, Audio) were the ruling dynasty of the Hasmonean Kingdom (140 BCE–37 BCE),[1] an autonomous Jewish state in ancient Israel. ...

Artaxiad Kings of Armenia

Coin of Tigranes II. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ ("[coin] of King Tigranes").

• Artaxias I (189-160)
• Artavasdes I (160-115)
• Tigranes I (115-95)
• Tigranes II the Great (95-55)
• Artavasdes II (55-34)
• Artaxias II (30-20)
• Tigranes III (20-8)
• Tigranes IV (8-5)
• Erato (2-12)

This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Artaxias I (also called Artaxes or Artashes) (reigned 190 BCE-159 BCE) was one of the founders of the kingdom of Armenia and its first independent ruler. ... External Links and References Armenica. ... Tigranes I of Armenia (Armenian: Տիգրան Ô±Õ¼Õ¡Õ»Õ«Õ¶) reigned as King of Armenia from 115 BC to 95 BC. Artavasdes I did not leave any heir; his brother, Tigranes ascended to the throne of the Artaxiads. ... This article is about a king of Armenia in the 1st century BC. For other historical figures with the same name (including other kings of Armenia) see Tigranes. ... Artavasdes II King Artavasdes II (Armenian: Ô±Ö€Õ¿Õ¡Õ¾Õ¡Õ¦Õ¤ ÔµÖ€Õ¯Ö€Õ¸Ö€Õ¤) ruled Armenia from 53 to 34 BC. He succeeded his father, Tigranes the Great. ... Artaxias II (also called Artaxes or Artashes) (reigned 34 BCE – 20 BCE) was a king of Armenia, the son of Artavasdes I. He ascended the throne when his father was taken prisoner by Marcus Antonius, and after his own skirmish with the Romans was forced to flee to Parthia. ... Tigranes III was king of Armenia from 12 BC until 8 BC. He was the son of Artavasdes II and brother of Artaxias II. In 20 BC, the Armenians sent messengers to Augustus to tell him that they no longer wanted Artaxias II as their king, and asked that his... Tigranes IV (12-1 B.C.) Tigran III ruled between 20 and 12 B.C. before he was succeeded by Tigran IV (12-1 B.C.) The reign of these last kings in the Artashisian dynasty was characterized by various civil wars which weakened Armenia. ... Erato was queen of Armenia and the last member on the throne of the Artaxiad Dynasty. ...

See also

• Artaxiad dynasty of Iberia