Tigranes II (140 BC - 55 BC; also spelt Tigran and Dikran) was a king of Armenia. Under his rule, the country was, for a short time, the strongest state in the region.
Tigranes was a member of the dynasty founded in the early 2nd century by Artaxias, and was either the son or brother of Artavasdes I.
Tigranes was the son or brother of Artavasdes I and a member of the dynasty founded in the early 2nd century by Artaxias.
Tigranes then began war with the Parthians, whose empire (southeast of the Caspian Sea) was temporarily weakened after the death of Mithradates II (about 87) by internal dissensions and invasions of the Scythians.
Tigranes took the title "king of kings" and built a new royal city, Tigranocerta, on the borders of Armenia and Mesopotamia (the actual site is disputed), where he accumulated all his wealth and to which he transplanted the inhabitants of 12 Greek towns of Cappadocia, Cilicia, and Syria.
Coin of TigranesIITigranes the Great (ruled 95- 56 BC) (also called TigranesII and sometimes Tigranes I) was a king of Armenia.
Tigranes also expanded his domain into Parthia, going into Media as far as Ecbatana and to Arbela in Assyria, capturing northern Mesopotamia.
Tigranes' son went over to Pompey, and as they approached Artaxata Tigranes himself surrendered, gave up all his territories except Armenia, and finished out his life as a tributary of Rome.
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