The prisoner stood at the window and silently looked into the distance. There was a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows.
But he, the heir to the Armenian throne, was not at all worried about his status as a hostage - Tigran had been one for a long time.
Having conquered the Medes and Babylonians, Parthia often invaded the Armenian lands. Having failed to conquer them, she nevertheless received a strong trump card in the person of her captive - the nephew of King Artavazd I political influence to Greater Armenia. Standing at the window, Tigran again and again returned his thoughts to the news of the death of Artavazd I, received from a messenger who had arrived from Armenia.
This news radically changed Tigran's position - from a hostage he became the king of Greater Armenia. True, for his freedom Parthia demanded vast territories - seventy valleys in the southeast of the country - primordially Armenian lands.
And now Tigran had to make the first important state decision in his life - to be or not to be a king at such a high price. Tigran understood that the elderly Parthian king Mithridates II the Great had specially appointed such a ransom, knowing what a dangerous rival he could become new king Great Armenia.
After all, the years spent in captivity at the Parthian court were not in vain - Tigran was well acquainted with its inner workings and saw that a split was brewing in Parthia. In addition, he had a daring mind, military talent, wisdom and vast life experience.
These extraordinary qualities could well have interfered with Mithridates, who sought to weaken Armenia and achieve the destruction of Armenian statehood.
However, he could not allow Tigran to be physically eliminated - the murder of an unarmed prisoner, especially of a royal family, contradicted the noble concepts of honor of those times and could have a negative impact on the international reputation of Parthia.
The cunning Mithridates knew how to kill two birds with one stone. The ransom provided Parthia with direct access to the very heart of the Armenian state - the Ararat Valley.
But the capital of Armenia - Artashat and the largest cities of the country were located there. Armenia did not just lose its lands. This was a strong blow to the country’s economy - part of the ransom was the Kaputan Sea (Lake Urmia).
This means that Armenia was losing the opportunity to extract and export a strategically important product to the countries of the region - table salt. In addition, the annexation of Armenian territories was bound to discredit Tigran in the eyes of his own people, primarily the nobility, without whose support no power was possible.
Tigran understood that the transfer of land would inevitably weaken the economy and defense capability of his country. As he also understood that he could lose the trust of his people. The prisoner stood at the window and silently looked into the distance. The deep wrinkle on his forehead smoothed out - Tigran made his choice.
Armenian Empire
The king stood on the fortress wall and examined the surroundings. A slight smile touched his lips.
Tigran remembered how, upon returning to his homeland, he placed the royal crown on himself. By the way, it was there, in the Agdznik province of Great Armenia, that he later founded new capital- Tigranakert.
The empire of Tigran the Great could afford to have three capitals at the same time: numerous vassal states regularly paid taxes and the country prospered. The construction of a third capital was not a whim.
Neither Artashat, founded by Artashes I in the first years of his reign, nor the capital of the Seleucids, Antioch, conquered by Tigran, were suitable for the role of the political and cultural center of Armenia: they were located on the outskirts of the state. Tigranakert is located in the very heart of the empire.
Tigran believed that he had chosen a very good place for the capital - it was reliably protected from the north steep slopes Taurus, and from the south ran the great royal road of the Achaemenids, uniting large shopping centers empires.
It seemed to Tigran that his empire was indestructible, like the walls of Tigranakert - 50 cubits high and so wide that horse stalls were built in them. Life was in full swing in the city: Tigran ordered the inhabitants of the twelve Hellenic cities he captured and the Armenian nobility to be resettled here (although some had to be threatened with confiscation of their property). And Antioch, with its half a million population, became the main residence of the Armenian king in the south.
The famous coins of Tigran were minted there, which were then distributed throughout the Armenian empire. In twenty-five years, Tigran expanded it immensely - by the end of the 70s of the first century BC. The Armenian kingdom extended from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean and Red Sea (to the borders of Egypt).
From Great Media to Mountain Cilicia and Cappadocia. The supreme power of Tigranes was recognized by Judea and Nabatean. The empire prospered - it was a time not only of victorious wars, but also of decades of peaceful life, flourishing of the country's economy, culture and arts.
But there was nothing of this when he ascended the royal throne in 1995 - there were only hostile neighbors - Parthia, with which Tigran had personal scores, and Rome, which sought to establish hegemony over the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
First of all, the king of Great Armenia annexed Sophene (Tsopk) - one of the three historically established independent Armenian kingdoms - to his state. The best Armenian artisans lived in this country, rich in metal deposits. It took Tigran a year to create a combat-ready army.
And now it also had a developed “military industry”. How more countries was part of Tigran's empire, the more generously he paid his soldiers. They were excellent at martial arts, but sometimes remained idle - some countries themselves expressed a desire to gain the patronage of Tigran. This was the case with Syria and Phenicia.
In Syria, the king of Great Armenia had many supporters. After the conquest of Northern Mesopotamia, the trade route connecting central and eastern Asia with the Middle East came under the control of Tigran.
Wealthy policies, interested in security, maintaining privileges and international trade, voluntarily wanted to be under his auspices. It was under the rule of Tigran that Syria “breathed freely and for 14 years enjoyed peace, security and prosperity” (Justin).
One of Tigran’s far-sighted political moves was an agreement with nomadic Arab tribes on the protection of trade routes along the southern borders: they collected customs duties in favor of the royal treasury - the main fees came from crossing the Euphrates. The proud Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator also asked Tigran for help.
When the struggle between Pontus and Rome flared up, he began to seek an alliance with his powerful neighbor - Armenia. This was the only way he could contain the expansion of Rome. Tigran accepted the ambassadors and rich gifts from Mithridates.
The signed agreement was sealed by the marriage of Tigran to the daughter of the Pontic king Cleopatra. The bride was sixteen, while the groom was approaching his half-century anniversary. By the way, when, after 30 years, Tigran no longer needed the alliance with Pontus, he divorced Cleopatra.
“They agreed that the cities and lands should belong to Mithridates, and the people and everything that could be transported would belong to Tigranes” (Justin). Tigran's troops made three campaigns against Cappadocia.
The alliance with Mithridates was beneficial to the Armenian king. He secured the western borders of his state, where the king of Cappadocia, Ariobarzanes I Romanophilus, created an outpost for Roman expansion in Asia Minor.
Now, 8 years later, Tigran could calmly resolve his conflict with Parthia. Finally, the long-awaited time has come to return the “debt” - the territories paid for their freedom. Having defeated the Parthian army, he recaptured 70 valleys and conquered Adiabene and Media-Atropatene. (By the way, King Mithridates of Atropatena was married to the daughter of Tigranes.)
The Parthian Arsacids were doomed - Tigran's troops continued the offensive and reached their summer residence, the capital of Ecbatana. Tigran set fire to the royal castle of Adraban, which was located 10 km from the capital, and destroyed the areas of Nineveh and Arbela in Adiabene.
Usually he did not allow destruction (there was no need to harm his possessions), but here a feeling of revenge arose. The Parthians ceded to Tigranes the Great not only Mesopotamia, along with Mygdonia and Osroene, but also the title of “king of kings.”
The supreme power of Tigran was also recognized by the states that were its vassals before the fall of Parthia. The Phoenician fortress of Ptolemais also submitted to Tigran. It seemed that nothing threatened the peace and prosperity of Armenia. The king stood on the fortress wall and examined the surroundings. His lips were compressed - Tigran was informed that Lucullus had besieged Tigranakert. Son against father
Tigran stood opposite Pompey and looked at his son. There was pain in his eyes.
Before the old king’s mind’s eye, pictures of the Roman invasion followed one after another: the battle of Tigranakert, the retreat of the Armenian troops to the north, the battle of Aratsan...
When Tigran conquered Plain Cilicia and Commagene, he came close to Mountain Cilicia. The Roman Senate had previously been worried about a state that had risen so high in its power.
Tigran had already encountered Roman troops in Cappadocia, a new occasion was Mithridates VI Eupator - after a heavy defeat from the Romans, he fled to Armenia and received refuge in Tigranakert.
Tigran rejected Rome's demand to extradite the fugitive, citing the fact that he would not extradite his relatives. In the spring of 69 BC. Roman troops besieged Tigranakert. The fortress garrison, led by commander Mankai, held back the onslaught of the besiegers for five months - they were showered with a hail of arrows from the walls, and burning oil pouring from above destroyed the siege engines of the Romans.
The warriors not only defended the city - the outcome of the war depended on this battle. The fact is that they did not have time to remove the royal treasury from Tigranakert - money, without which it would have been impossible to raise, arm and feed an army to fight Rome.
Fortunately, the detachment sent by Tigran successfully carried out a daring operation to remove Tigran’s treasury and harem from the city. The Romans did not even understand what had happened: the Armenian horsemen, like the wind, rushed through their ranks, the gates of the city opened in front of them and, having let them through, closed just as quickly.
And at night they repeated the same maneuver, but already taking the king’s wives, his concubines, young children and royal treasures. But on October 6, 1969. the god of war turned away from Tigran - the battle of Tigranakert was lost. Tigranes's army was recruited too hastily, Lucullus was too cunning.
He sent only his small cavalry from the front against Tigran, and he himself, along with the entire Roman infantry, went behind enemy lines and attacked from there. True, then Lucullus ordered his biographers to write that he went into hand-to-hand combat with a drawn sword.
The Armenian troops were unable to deploy in time on the inconvenient terrain, and the surprise factor of an attack from the rear became fatal. Fortunately, Tigran and a detachment of bodyguards managed to escape. Mithridates, in his letter to the Parthian king, writes that the Romans “pass off Tigranes’ failure as their own victory.”
The result of the defeat was the loss of Tigranakert. The Greek mercenaries, who watched the battle from the fortress walls, entered into an agreement with the Romans and surrendered the city. The invaders mercilessly robbed him, Lucullus appropriated the remaining treasures for himself, and his legionaries received eight thousand talents.
And at that time Tigran tried to persuade Parthia to an alliance. But the Parthian king Phraates III received an offer from the Romans: either with them or neutrality. He chose not to interfere in the fight between the two empires.
Tigran and Mithridates spent the entire winter in hasty preparations. This time the army was organized according to the Roman model - Tigran believed that large detachments of troops were harmful to mobility. The Roman system of maniples was more flexible and maneuverable.
Lucullus, who hoped that Tigran would either sue for peace or be the first to rush into battle, had to resume the offensive himself in the spring - the people of Rome preferred the victors! Lucullus was waiting for Artashat. The Romans crossed the Taurus.
Here they were greeted by the first surprise - the cereal crops were completely green. Whereas in the south, when the Roman army set out, the harvest time had already arrived. Lucullus realized that there might be problems with food. And not only with food - he was met by the Armenian army at the Aratsani River.
While the Romans were crossing the river, Tigranes dealt them a heavy blow. Tigran's light cavalry used a proven technique - feigning flight. The Roman troops began to pursue the horsemen, and they turned around and fired arrows at full gallop.
On the other bank, the main forces of the Armenians were waiting for the Romans. Lucullus was forced to retreat: the losses were too great. Soon it became sharply cold - snow suddenly fell in September, and his army rebelled.
Under pressure from the soldiers, Lucullus had to retreat to Mesopotamia. Rushing to pursue the Romans, Tigran gave another battle and returned the southern regions. The Roman Senate, dissatisfied with the actions of Lucullus, transferred “extraordinary power” to conduct the eastern campaign to Pompey.
And it was at this time that the king of Armenia was stabbed in the back - his son Tigran the Young rebelled. As a reward for treason, he expected to receive the crown of Armenia from Pompey. Tigran was forced to interrupt his victorious campaign in Cappadocia.
The son could not resist his father, although Phraates III provided the rebel with his troops. Having been defeated at Artashat, he fled to Ctesiphon, where he married the daughter of Phraates. But for the Romans, the father was a more acceptable ally than the son - Rome was brewing a war with Parthia. Pompey's army stood at the walls of Artashat.
And Tigran took an unprecedented political step. The Armenian king, having defeated the Parthians at Artashat, decided to offer a peace treaty to Pompey as a “strong man”. He alone, unaccompanied, went to the Roman camp.
At the border of the camp, the Armenian king was asked to dismount and give up his sword. Tigran obeyed. And when he entered Pompey’s tent, he took off the royal diadem. Appreciating this gesture, Pompey immediately recognized him as the king of Greater Armenia and placed the crown back on Tigran's head.
The young traitor sat left hand from a Roman general. He didn’t even get up when he saw his father, he just watched the crown with a predatory gaze. Peace was concluded between Rome and Armenia with Armenia renouncing most of the annexed regions, but preserving its independence and royal power.
Tigran, apparently, foresaw this too, he only did not foresee that all three of his sons from Cleopatra - the grandchildren of Mithridates - would betray him. Tigran stood opposite Pompey and looked at his son. Disappointment was visible in his eyes - the heir betrayed not only him, but also the work of his whole life.
Tigran the Great did everything to make his empire powerful and the Armenian people to live in peace. Having become an ally of Rome, he avoided a disastrous war on two fronts - with Rome and Parthia, thereby preserving the integrity of Greater Armenia.
Chronicle of the times of Tigran II (140 - 55 BC)
140g. - the future king of Armenia Tigran the Great was born.
112g. - the heir to the throne was given as a hostage by the Armenian king Artavazd I to Parthia.
95 - accession of Tigran II.
94 - annexation of Sophene and alliance with the Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator.
93 - First trip to Cappadocia. Tigranes overthrows Ariobarzanes I Romanophilus and establishes Gordia, whose candidacy was proposed by the local nobility, on the Cappadocian throne.
92 - II trip to Cappadocia. The Romans, led by Sulla, invade Cappadocia and defeat the troops of Tigranes, who came to the aid of Gordius.
Establishment of diplomatic relations between Rome and Parthia - the Euphrates is recognized as the border between their spheres of influence in the region. Parthia invites Sulla to conclude a military alliance against Tigran.
91 - III campaign to Cappadocia. The beginning of an internal split in the Parthian Empire.
90 - 86 - Tigran is preparing for war with Parthia. Establishment of supreme power over Iberia and Albania.
86 - 85 - victorious war with Parthia. The kings of the Medes, Atropatenes, Adiabenes, Gorduenes and Osroenes, recognized the supreme power of Tigranes II. Acceptance of the title "King of Kings".
'83 - at the call of the Hellenistic cities of Syria, Tigran II ascends the throne of the Syrian kingdom. Formation of the Armenian-Syrian Hellenistic state (83 - 69).
'77 - proclamation of Tigranakert as the capital of the Armenian state.
'69 - war with Rome. Invasion of Roman troops led by Lucullus into Armenia. Battle of Tigranakert. The collapse of the power of Tigran the Great.
'68 - Lucullus's campaign against Artashat. Defeat of the Roman troops at Aratsan.
68 - 67 - counter-offensive of Tigran II - restoration of power over Nisibis and Sophene, access to the Euphrates. Landing of Pompey's troops in Plain Cilicia. The uprising of Tigran the Young, grandson of Mithridates VI Eupator.
'66 - military alliance of Rome and Parthia against Tigran II the Great. The Parthian king Phraates III, together with Tigran the Young, invades Armenia and besieges Artashat. The Armenian army defeats the Parthians. Peace treaty with Pompey. Preventing a war on two fronts. The end of the Roman-Parthian alliance.64. - agreement between Tigranes II and Phraates III - Armenians and Parthians pledged never to go to war against each other again.
Autumn 55 - death of Tigran II the Great.
Based on the book by Ruben Manaseryan “Tigran the Great. The struggle of Armenia with Rome and Parthia", Yerevan, 1987.
Erna Revazova, Arthur Hakobyan
Views: 589§ 1. Artashes I. Unification of Armenian lands
In 190 BC. The famous battle of Magnesia (modern Turkey) took place, in which the Roman legions defeated the army of King Antiochus III, thereby breaking the power of the Seleucid state.
For future fate For Armenia, this battle had a turning point. Taking advantage of the weakening of the Seleucids, the ruler of Greater Armenia Artashes and the ruler of Sophen Zarekh proclaimed themselves kings, thereby restoring the independence of Armenia.
Artashes I (189-160 BC) made many campaigns and subjugated all territories inhabited by Armenians to his power. In his state, “everyone speaks the same language,” wrote the 1st century Greek geographer Strabo. Artashes I failed to annex only Sophene and Lesser Armenia.
The Armenian historiographer of the 5th century Movses Khorenatsi preserved many oral traditions about the activities of Artashes. Having defeated the mountain tribes of the Alans (ancestors of modern Ossetians) who invaded Armenia, Artashes took the Alan prince captive. His sister Satenik came to the river bank and asked Artashes to return freedom to her brother, since it was not right for kings to destroy the offspring of other rulers. Artashes liked the beautiful princess. He kidnapped her, according to custom, and married her, establishing a lasting friendship between the two peoples.
Artashes I carried out an administrative land reform, delimiting private and communal land holdings and installing boundary stones with inscriptions. For many centuries, scientists doubted the veracity of this message from Movses Khorenatsi, until several decades ago such boundary stones were discovered during excavations.
Artashes I encouraged the development of crafts, Agriculture, patronized trade, laid roads and built cities. According to the ancient Greek historian Strabo, under Artashes there was not even an inch of uncultivated land left in Armenia. In 188 BC. Artashes I founded the new capital of Armenia in the Ararat Valley and named it after himself - Artashat. According to the ancient Greek author Plutarch, the city of Artashat was founded by the king on the advice of the famous Carthaginian commander Hannibal.
Hannibal, after fleeing Carthage, entered the service of Antiochus III, but after his defeat, when the Romans demanded that he surrender to them, Hannibal took refuge in Armenia. While Roman troops were in Asia Minor, Hannibal was forced from 189-188. BC. to remain in Armenia - outside the sphere of Roman influence. It was then that, having chosen a conveniently located hill surrounded by the waters of the Araks River, he advised King Artashes I to build a city here. On behalf of the king, Hannibal himself supervised the construction. It is no coincidence that two centuries later ancient Roman authors called Artashat “Armenian Carthage”.
§ 2. Beginning of the reign of Tigran II. Armenian-Pontic Union
The power of Artashes was inherited by his sons: Artavazd I (165-131) and Tigran I (130-95). The weakening Seleucid state and the neighboring smaller Hellenistic states did not pose a serious threat to Armenia. However, soon Armenia faced a new dangerous enemy. At the end of the 2nd century BC. e. In the northeastern regions of Iran, the Parthian state rose, which by the end of the 2nd century BC, having defeated the Seleucids, took possession of all of Iran and Mesopotamia. In the war with Parthia, the Armenian troops were defeated. With the cession of some territories, peace was concluded between the two states, to ensure which the Armenian prince Tigran was given hostage. After the death of his father, having made new territorial concessions to Parthia, he returned to his homeland and inherited the Armenian throne.
During the reign of Tigran II the Great (95-55), Armenia reached the zenith of political power. Tigran turned out to be an active ruler, a talented commander and diplomat. He sought to strengthen the international position of Armenia and the economic condition of the country, for which it was necessary to take control of international trade routes and transit trade between the West and the East. But first of all, Tigran II sought to complete the unification of the Armenian lands, begun by Artashes I.
In 94 BC. Tigran II captured the Armenian kingdom of Sophene and annexed it to Greater Armenia. As the next step, Tigran II intended to annex Lesser Armenia, which was under the rule of the Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator. However, Mithridates offered him an alliance against the neighboring states. The union was sealed by the marriage of Tigran II and Mithridates' daughter Cleopatra. Little Armenia remained under the rule of Mithridates.
Having thus strengthened the rear, Tigran II began a war with Parthia, an old rival of Armenia. In 87 BC. Parthia was defeated, and its king abandoned the title “King of Kings” in favor of Tigran II. Northern Mesopotamia and other territories passed to Armenia. The neighboring kings of Atropatene, Iberia, Albania, and the small kingdoms of Commagene, Adiabene and Osroene recognized their dependence on Armenia. In the eyes of the people of the Middle East, Tigran II was the most powerful of all rulers. In 83 BC. Tigran captured the last possessions of the Seleucids - Syria and Cilicia, and the borders of his power reached Palestine and the Mediterranean Sea.
In 77 BC. Tigran II founded the new capital of Tigranakert in the center of his state (in the southwest of Armenia), relocating approximately 100 thousand people from the conquered Hellenistic cities there. The former capital of the Seleucids, Antioch in Syria, and the former capital of Armenia, Artashat, were also considered capital cities.
Under Tigran II, both domestic and foreign trade developed rapidly. To expand and support it, Tigran II minted coins of various denominations. Many of these coins have survived to this day and thanks to them we have a reliable portrait of Tigran II, and we also know what the royal regalia of the Armenian rulers looked like. Armenian coins were minted according to Greek standards and had inscriptions in Greek.
§ 3. Roman-Armenian War. Campaign of Lucullus
The strengthening and expansion of the power of Tigran II contradicted the interests of the Roman power, which itself sought to establish itself in the Middle East. The Roman commander Lucullus defeated the troops of Tigranes' father-in-law and ally, Mithridates VI Eupator, and captured the Pontic kingdom. Mithridates VI found refuge in Armenia. Lucullus sent an embassy to Tigran II demanding the extradition of Mithridates, but was refused. This was a convenient reason for the Romans to start a war with Tigranes II. In the spring of 69 BC. The Roman army of Lucullus unexpectedly invaded Armenia and besieged Tigranakert.
Tigran II at this time was on the southern borders of his empire and did not expect a Roman attack. He quickly began to gather troops for the decisive battle. But before this, a selected detachment of his troops, with a successful maneuver, deceiving the Romans, entered Tigranakert and led them out of the city royal family. In the decisive battle of Tigranakert on October 6, 69 BC. Tigran's multinational army was defeated. The mercenary Greek troops defending Tigranakert surrendered it to Lucullus. Tigranakert was sacked by the Romans and destroyed. Lucullus moved the Roman army deep into Armenia to capture the capital Artashat. In 68 BC. In the battle of the Aratsani River, Tigran II defeated the Romans and forced them to retreat from Armenia. With the support of Tigranes II, Mithridates Eupator managed to recapture his kingdom from the Romans.
§ 4. Pompey's campaign. Artashat Treaty
The Roman Senate recalled Lucullus and sent a new commander, Gnaeus Pompey, to the east. Pompey defeated Mithridates Eupator and recaptured the Pontic kingdom. After this, he concluded an alliance with the Parthian kingdom against Armenia, and Roman troops entered Armenia. The position of Tigran II the Great was difficult. In 68 BC. His son, Tigran the Younger, rebelled against him and tried to seize the throne. Having failed, Tigran the Younger fled to the Parthian king, found a warm welcome there and even married the daughter of the king of Parthia. On next year Tigran the Younger, with the support of Parthia, invaded Armenia, but was defeated by his father and now fled west to the Roman commander Pompey. Tigran the Younger showed the Roman troops the way to the capital Artashat, hoping that Pompey, having defeated Tigran II, would appoint him king of Armenia. At the same time, the king of Parthia invaded Armenia with an army in support of his son-in-law Tigran the Younger.
Tigran the Great, finding himself between two enemies, was forced to choose the lesser of two evils. After preliminary negotiations, Tigran II appeared at the headquarters of Pompey, who had already approached Artashat. In 66 BC. Tigran II and the Roman commander Pompey concluded the Treaty of Artashat. Armenia was declared “a friend and ally of Rome”, retained its territorial integrity, but abandoned territorial acquisitions in favor of Rome and paid a huge indemnity. Tigran II thus preserved the territorial integrity of Armenia and the title of “King of Kings.” Tigran the Younger, who was dissatisfied with the outcome of events, was arrested by Pompey and taken to Rome as a hostage.
§ 5. Reign of Artavazd II
During the reign of Artavazd II (55-34 BC), the son and successor of Tigran the Great, Armenia still retained the role of a strong power. But its position between two strong neighbors - Rome and Parthia - turned out to be difficult.
In 53 BC. Roman commander Marcus Crassus launched a campaign against Parthia. He demanded that Artavazd II, as “a friend and ally of Rome,” take part in the campaign with the Armenian army. Artavazd, having visited Crassus and, making sure that he was not inclined to accept any advice, chose the most direct, but also the most dangerous route for the campaign, returned to Armenia. Crassus threatened to deal with the disobedient king of Armenia after the campaign. At the same time, the Parthian king invaded Armenia, forcing Artavasdes II, instead of helping the Romans, to use his forces to defend the country.
Ultimately, Artavazd II, foreseeing the failure of Crassus's campaign, chose to establish allied relations with Parthia, thereby abandoning the alliance with Rome. The new union was sealed by the dynastic marriage of the Parthian heir to the sister of Artavazda.
At the Battle of Carrhae, the Roman army was completely defeated by the Parthians. The severed head of Crassus was brought to the capital of Armenia, Artashat, where the new allies celebrated the wedding ceremony.
Thanks to the alliance with Parthia, Armenia long years successfully resisted Roman expansion. However, due to dynastic changes in Parthia, the Parthian-Armenian Union by 38 BC. fell apart.
Rome did not give up the idea of conquering Armenia and Parthia. In 36 BC. The ruler of the eastern provinces of Rome, Mark Antony, launched a new campaign against Parthia through the territory of Armenia. Artavazd II took a neutral position, since the Parthian-Armenian alliance had already collapsed by that time, and Armenia alone was not able to resist Rome.
The Roman army was defeated this time by the Parthians. With the remnants of his troops, Anthony retreated with difficulty through Armenia, thanks to the help of Artavazd II.
Antony blamed his defeat on the neutrality of Artavazd II. In 34 BC. Mark Antony with a large army unexpectedly invaded Armenia, deceived Artavazd II and his family, took them to Egypt, and declared Armenia a Roman province.
The captive Artavazd II was promised to save his life and return freedom and power if he recognized his dependence on the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. Artavazd II refused and preferred death to humiliation. Artavasdes II was killed on the orders of Cleopatra, and his family was subsequently sent to Rome.
§ 6. The fall of the Artashesyan dynasty
The struggle for sole power in the Roman Empire between Mark Antony and Octavian ended in the defeat and death of Antony. Taking advantage of the situation, the eldest son of Artavazd II Artashes, with the support of Parthia, in 30 BC. expelled Roman troops and restored the independence of Armenia.
Octavian Augustus, having become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, was busy for some time strengthening and formalizing his power. In 20 BC. With a huge army, he moved to the East, forced Parthia to conclude a treaty, return Roman banners and prisoners captured from the legions of Crassus and Anthony, and also abandon the alliance with Armenia.
Under military-diplomatic pressure from Rome, Artashes II (30-20) was killed by the conspirators, and at the “request of the Armenians,” the emperor’s stepson Tiberius in Artashat solemnly crowned another son of Artavazd II, Tigran III (20-6), as king of Armenia, who was captured along with father and was raised in Rome. As a result of these events, Armenia turned into a kingdom dependent on Rome. Forward
“Noah’s Ark” continues to publish chapters from the book “Armenia in World Cartography” - a unique publication that contains geographic Maps and their descriptions from ancient times to the present day, reflect the geographical features of Armenia, political events and regional relationships.
Maps, as well as the research and descriptions that accompany them, are important historical evidence. They promote understanding political development ancient and modern world, reflect international relationships at certain stages of development of states.
The book “Armenia in World Cartography” was republished on the initiative of the head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, His Eminence Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan.
The first three maps are from among the oldest editions of Ptolemy’s book “Geography”. They were compiled by Nikola Germanius and published in the city of Ulm in Germany in 1482 with the assistance of Leonard Holm. Atlas printed on parchment best quality and retained its colors. The atlas is unusual from the point of view that the maps are compiled in pairs, located one opposite the other so that in order to fit in the book, they must be folded in half. The atlas contains 32 maps, among which, in addition to Ptolemy's maps, there are five additional maps.
More than 40 handwritten texts from the volumes of Ptolemy's Geography have reached us, some of which are incomplete. After the invention of printing, from 1477 to 1600, this book was published more than 50 times. Its publishers were famous cartologists Donn Germanius, Sebastian Munster, Martin Waldseemüller, Berlingeri and others. Each of them based their maps on explanations and local data from Ptolemy's manuscript, so that, despite some differences, they are basically similar, and from them it is possible to determine what geographical area is represented. In principle, everything that is considered Western cartography today is based on this important work.
Ptolemy's maps are simple, without colorful headings or titles, which was a common feature of some maps of the 15th and 16th centuries. Some of the atlases printed in the XV or 16th centuries based on his work, were colored, and some of them were even printed on parchment.
Rice. 1
This is a world map that shows the world surrounded by twelve hills divided into climatic zones. The seas are colored Blue colour except the Red Sea, which is red, and the mountains are Brown. Greater and Lesser Armenia are designated between the Black and Caspian seas. The Indian Ocean is depicted as completely surrounded by land, and the outer boundaries of the world are left unfinished.
Rice. 2
This is the “First Map of Asia” of the atlas, which depicts Asia Minor and Armenia Minor, located in the east of Anatolia (Armenia Minor). Borders on Lesser Armenia Great Armenia, separated from it by the Euphrates River. Numerous cities are identified in Lesser Armenia, of which the most important are Melitana (Malatia) and Satala (Satakh). The marked names are written in Greek and are sometimes written greek names, the Armenian versions of which are difficult to restore due to the distortion of the name of the area.
Rice. 3
This is the “Third Map of Asia”, where Iberia, Colchis, Albania and Greater Armenia are drawn. Three countries are shown in the north of the map. The first is Colchis, on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains, the second is Iberia, completely surrounded by mountains. These two regions make up Georgia today. The third country is Albania (Agvank), which is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains and today is called the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Greater Armenia (Armenia Major) is located in the south of these countries and borders Media, Assyria and Lesser Armenia (Armenia Minor), which is separated from Greater Armenia by the Euphrates River. On the territory of Armenia are marked important cities, mountains, rivers and lakes. Among the lakes is Lake Tospita (Vanskoye), on the shores of which the city of Tospia/Tushpa (Van) is located and where the Tigris originates. Another lake is called Astiara, next to which the city of Artametus is marked. This city is actually located next to Lake Van. The third lake is called Likhnitis, which is Lake Sevan, or Gegama. Among the cities of Greater Armenia on the map you can also recognize Artashat, Armavir, Tigranakert, Bagavan, Arshamashat, Nahuana (Nakhichevan), Khorsa (Kars) and Terva (Yerevan).
Card dimensions 54 x 43 cm.
British Library, London – Rare Books G8175
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This world map is taken from Ptolemy's Geography, published in 1513 in Strasbourg. It was compiled by Waldseemüller and published by Schott. The map shows Anatolia and Lesser Armenia.
The card is called " New map Asia." Of the inland areas, only the most important are marked, while coastal cities and localities are indicated in more detail. Thus, we can conclude that the map is intended for seafarers, like portolan maps.
Card dimensions 61x45 cm.
British Library, London – Maps C.1.d.9
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Interview
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Victor Nadein-Raevsky: Russia must support Armenia in the event of any attack from outside
Viktor Nadein-Raevsky, director of the Institute of Political and Social Research of the Black Sea-Caspian Region, Ph.D., told Noah’s Ark about the situation in Syria, the interests of the countries participating in the Russia-Iran-Turkey coalition, and the situation around the Kurds.
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Maria Safaryants: Return the national anthem of Aram Khachaturian to Armenia
Maria Safariants, a famous violinist, Honored Artist of Russia, laureate of State Prizes, is called the main palace woman of St. Petersburg. For 25 years she has headed the public foundation “Palaces of St. Petersburg,” which organizes and hosts international music festivals. Maria Safariants told Noah's Ark about the activities of the foundation, its new projects and interaction with cultural figures of Armenia.
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Armenia is a country in the Western Asia region, which covers an area of only 29,743 square kilometers, due to which it is in 138th place in the world in terms of territory and 136th in terms of number of inhabitants. The country has no access to the sea. Of course, there is nothing specific in this information, which cannot be said about the history of this beautiful, great country.
Relocation
The history of Armenia begins before the Bronze Age, before the invention of writing. As historical finds have shown, the territory future country tribes moved from East Africa, as evidenced by the tools of labor characteristic of African peoples, as well as several figurines local gods which they worshiped. What attracted people to these lands was the climate, which was not as hot as in Africa, and severe frosts did not threaten the settlers. There were far fewer ferocious predators here, more food and vegetation. Here the people felt more relaxed. This is how the settlement of Armenia began.
People of Armenia
Of course, everyone understood perfectly well that excessive overpopulation of new lands would lead to the same consequences as in Africa - constant wars between tribes and families, which negatively affected the quality of life of the entire continent. Therefore, the nomads begin to unite among themselves in order to protect their land. This is how the first peoples of the Highlands appeared. This community includes Urartians, Khurites, Luwians and tribes who speak the Proto-Armenian dialect. The formation of the nation began in the 12th century BC. e. and actually ended in the 6th century BC. e. Since the dialect of the native tribes was much simpler than African tribal languages, they began to use proto-Armenian literature for communication, which experienced great changes during the period of its formation.
First State
Most of the population of the future Armenia are Urartians, and therefore it was these peoples who decided to take power into their own hands, uniting all individual nationalities into Urartu, the first political system Highlands, which was founded in the 6th century BC. e. Unfortunately, due to the inexperience of the first rulers, Urartu did not last long, and already in the second half of the 6th century the territory of the Highlands came under the hegemony of Media, and a few years later it became part of the Achimenid Empire. Unfortunately, the names of the first rulers of Urartu are lost, for the simple reason that the language and writing were just being formed and it was not yet possible to record the events.
Ervandid dynasty and Ervand I
The highlands remained part of the Achimenid Empire until the 4th century BC. e., after which, namely from 331, the state of Greater Armenia appears on the territory of the future country, the first rulers of which are the Ervandid dynasty. We can say that Ervand I created Great Armenia, for which he received the title of Satrap of Armenia. Unfortunately, this state suffered the same fate as Urartu.
The beginning of the history of Great Armenia
Let's just say that the “first” Greater Armenia existed in the period from 331 BC. e to 220 BC In 220, Greater Armenia was attacked by the Seleucid State. But since the Elins were already very far from the inhabitants of the conquered state in terms of development, the need for the Highlands disappeared, thus, in 189 BC. e. a “second” Great Armenia appears.
Artashes I becomes the ruler of the “new” Greater Armenia. According to sources, already at this moment, most of the population of the Highlands speaks Armenian, although imperial Aramaic is still used at court. Also, speaking about Great Armenia, it is necessary to say a few words about Little Armenia or, as it was called at that time, Commagen. This State appeared in 169 BC. e. and lasted until 115 AD. e., after which Lesser Armenia was captured first by the Pontians, and, ultimately, by the Romans. In the period from 95 BC. e. before 55 BC e. a new ruler, Tigran II or Tigran the Great, comes to power. He recaptures Commagen from the Romans and annexes the state to Greater Armenia. It was during the reign of Tigran the Great that Armenia had an incredible large territory lands where Armenian-speaking peoples lived. In addition, under Tigran II he began to speak Armenian and to know the countries. The state is reaching a new level. During the rule of the country by Tigran II, Greater Armenia included the following lands:
- Commagene or Lesser Armenia.
- Syria.
- Phoenicia. A country that was located on the territory of modern Lebanon.
- Atropatene. This state existed on the site of modern Iran.
- The territory of Mesopotamia, an ancient state that existed in the Middle East, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is for this reason that its name is often found as Mesopotamia.
- Iveria, also known as Iberia. This is the territory of modern Georgia.
- Alwank - now Albania.
- Adiabene. Now everyone knows this country as Iraq.
Indeed, it is worth agreeing that Tigran II the Great spent a lot of effort in order to give greatness to his country. Unfortunately, during the war with Rome and Parthia, almost all of these lands were taken away from Greater Armenia.
Armenia during the time of Tigran the Great
Tigran II the Great is a direct descendant of Artashes I, or rather his grandson. The mighty ruler and strong commander was able to restore order in Greater Armenia during his reign, which lasted about 40 years. Tigran the Great, the king of Armenia, came to power at the right moment, so to speak, at a time when devastation, civil wars and economic decline began in nearby countries. Thanks to this situation, Tigran II immediately conquered nearby Sophene and Korduk. This was the apogee of the development of the Armenian state, since Greater Armenia under Tigran the Great gained access to the sea, which is a huge plus for the future development of the country. Realizing that the Armenian army will not be able to withstand the powerful Pontic army, the ruler of the Highlands enters into an agreement with King Mithridates VI, marrying his daughter Cleopatra. Thus, Syria also joins the territory of Greater Armenia, while Mithridates takes Lesser Armenia for himself. It was geographically convenient and correct. With each new war, Tigran expanded the territory of Armenia until 66 BC. e. At this time, it was discussed that Tigran needed an heir; his eldest son was to become the new ruler of Armenia. This caused the indignation of the youngest son, and therefore in 66 BC. e. Tigran the Younger turns to Gnaeus Pompey the Great, who at that time had just become at the helm of the Roman army, for help. Gnaeus Pompey brings an army to Armenia, which consisted of 50 thousand selected warriors, who defeated the power of Tigran II; only a small territory of Greater Armenia remained in his hands - the Highlands and lands captured from Parthia. The state, which had just begun to flourish, gradually went into decline, and in 55 BC. e. Tigran the Great himself also died.
Great Kings of Armenia
There have been a lot of rulers in Armenia throughout the history of its existence. Of course, the most powerful was Tigran II the Great, whose power was not in doubt by absolutely no one. It is also worth paying tribute to Tigran’s grandfather, Artashes I, who was able to re-create Great Armenia and in the most as soon as possible make the state rich and prosperous. Also speaking about this beautiful country, we should mention Trdat I, who was from the Arsacid dynasty. He became the first native Armenian ruler of Greater Armenia. Trdat I reigned for 26 years from 62 to 88 AD. Further, it is difficult to name at least one more ruler who would have the same influence in the development of Armenia as all of the above. Greater Armenia experienced a large number of emperors, kings and princes. Its entire multi-page story cannot be retold in one article. Well, she definitely deserves a lot of attention.
Armenia in our time
The state of Greater Armenia has experienced a large number of changes, sufferings, wars and reformations. Now this beautiful, friendly country is more associated with a warm resort climate, friendly residents and high level life. Most of the temples and palaces of Armenia are a great UNESCO heritage, which can be enjoyed by everyone.
Azerbaijani and Russian experts presented their assessment of the American recognition of the Golan Heights by Israel, as well as a forecast of what consequences this decision could bring.
BAKU, March 26 – Sputnik, Alexandra Zueva. It is very important that the situation around the Golan Heights finds its resolution and manages to relieve tension in the region, which threatens global security, Rizvan Huseynov, director of the Center for the History of the Caucasus, senior researcher at the Institute of Law and Human Rights of ANAS, told Sputnik Azerbaijan.
The US is dragging Israel into adventures
Most of the Trump Administration’s steps related to Middle East issues, and in particular the Arab-Israeli conflict, unfortunately, do not lead to the resolution of controversial issues. On the contrary, the actions of the American side lead to an increase in tension, which affects, first of all, the security of Israel itself: the country is being drawn into certain adventures, the outcome of which is still difficult to imagine, Huseynov believes.
Steps such as recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the country’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights have aggravated the situation and complicated Tel Aviv’s relations with its neighbors, the expert emphasized.
“The role of Turkey is especially worth noting in these processes. It is clearly clear that the Trump administration is taking such steps “in counterbalance” to the growth of Ankara’s activity and influence in the Middle East,” noted Sputnik Azerbaijan’s interlocutor, recalling that on the territory of the Golan Heights until 1967 mainly lived by Turkomans (a term used in the West as the name of the Oghuz Turkic peoples - ed.).
At the same time, Huseynov expressed hope that the situation around the Golan Heights will still find its solution, the Trump administration’s attempts to strain the situation in the Middle East will not lead to success, and tension in the region will be able to be relieved.
What if Russia recognizes the Golan Heights as Syrian?
The fact that the United States recognizes the Golan Heights as belonging to Israel creates a very dangerous precedent in the system of interstate relations and international security, believes, in turn, associate professor of the department of political science and sociology of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, member of the “Officers of Russia” expert council, military analyst Alexander Perendzhiev.
After all, then the allied countries of the states that are sorting out relations regarding the ownership of certain territories can also begin the process of recognizing these lands as their military allies, the military analyst noted.
“Imagine how the situation will worsen if Russia, in defiance of the United States, recognizes the Golan Heights as belonging to Syria! Of course, Russia will not take such a step. But who can guarantee that other countries will not commit similar actions? For example, if France recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Armenia, and Turkey belongs to Azerbaijan,” noted Sputnik Azerbaijan’s interlocutor.
Having expressed doubts about such actions of official Paris and official Ankara, the expert also suggested imagining how the situation in Asia, and in the world as a whole, could worsen if the United States recognizes the states of Jammu and Kashmir as belonging to Pakistan.
There are many territories in the world over whose ownership states are in military confrontation. And the international community, various regional organizations are making difficult attempts to resolve conflicts around these disputed territories and peacefully agree on their legal status, Perendzhiev recalled.
The United States is now, in fact, destroying the role and influence of the international community and regional organizations involved in ensuring security and the peacekeeping process, the military analyst believes.
“The world, thanks to the United States, is increasingly entering a phase of “development” when you are right, when you have not right, but power,” concluded Sputnik Azerbaijan’s interlocutor.
The Middle East faces a new round of tension
Recognition of the Golan is a rather bold and decisive step by the United States in the spirit of Trump’s style, noted Russian political scientist Pavel Klachkov. He said that he himself had been to the Golan Heights and had a good sense of their significance for Israel. According to him, Israel really believes that control over this territory is necessary for the survival of the country and state.
At the same time, such recognition undermines the significance of the UN, since it violates a previously adopted resolution, the political scientist believes. At the same time, he noted, this recognition also destroys the rather serious foreign policy influence of the United States.
“The significance of such recognition is very great, and now everyone is condemning it. International issues will also no longer be the same,” the Sputnik source said.
Trump's decision, among other things, entails a new round of tension in the Middle East. A number of countries have already responded to this, including Russia and Turkey. The wave of rejection of this decision will grow, Klachkov is sure.
In 1967, Israel recaptured the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six-Day War, and in 1981 unilaterally annexed them. The ownership of the mountain plateau is considered the main subject of the Israeli-Syrian conflict, attempts to resolve which were made before civil war in Syria.
