Difference between revisions of "Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
(Wiki credit 226003975)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Image:ArshakuniArmenia150.gif|thumb|Kingdom of Armenia under the Arshakuni Dynasty, 150|230px|right]]
 
[[Image:ArshakuniArmenia150.gif|thumb|Kingdom of Armenia under the Arshakuni Dynasty, 150|230px|right]]
The '''Arsacid Dynasty''' (Arshakuni Dynasty) ruled the [[Kingdom of Armenia]] from 54 to 428. Formerly a branch of the [[Parthia|Parthian]] Arsacids, they became a distinctly Armenian dynasty.<ref>{{cite book | last = Olson |first = James | title = An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires | publisher = Greenwood Press |date= 1994 | pages = p. 42}}</ref> Arsacid Kings reigned intermittently throughout the chaotic years following the fall of the [[Artaxiad Dynasty]] until 62 when [[Tiridates I of Armenia]] secured Arsacid rule in Armenia. An independent line of Kings was established by [[Vologases II of Armenia]] (Valarses/Vagharshak) in 180. 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.  
+
The '''Arsacid Dynasty''' (Arshakuni Dynasty) ruled the Kingdom of [[Armenia]] from 54 to 428. Formerly a branch of the [Parthian Arsacids, they became a distinctly Armenian dynasty.<ref>Olson, page 42.</ref> Arsacid Kings reigned intermittently throughout the chaotic years following the fall of the [[Artaxiad Dynasty]] until 62 when [[Tiridates I of Armenia]] secured Arsacid rule in Armenia. An independent line of Kings was established by [[Vologases II of Armenia]] (Valarses/Vagharshak) in 180. 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.  
  
 
==Early Arsacids==
 
==Early Arsacids==
{{History of Armenia}}
 
The first appearance of an Arsacid on the Armenian throne came about in AD 12 when the Parthian King [[Vonones I]] was exiled from Parthia due to his pro-Roman policies and Occidental manners.<ref>Josephus, ''Jewish Antiquities'', 18.42-47</ref> Vonones I briefly acquired the Armenian throne with Roman consent, but [[Artabanus II]] demanded his deposition, and as [[Augustus]] did not wish to begin a war with the Parthians he deposed Vonones I and sent him to [[Syria]]. Wasting no time Artabanus installed his son Orodes on the Armenian throne. [[Tiberius]] had no intention of giving up the buffer states of the Eastern frontier and sent his nephew and heir [[Germanicus]] to the East, who concluded a treaty with Artabanus, in which he was recognized as king and friend of the Romans.
 
  
Armenia was given in 18 to [[Artaxias III|Zeno]] the son of [[Polemon I of Pontus]], who assumed the Armenian name [[Artaxias III|Artaxias]].<ref>Tacitus, Annals, 2.43, 2.56</ref> The Parthians under Artabanus were too distracted by internal strife to oppose the Roman-appointed King. Zeno's reign was remarkably peaceful in Armenian history. Once Zeno died in 34, Artabanus decided to reinstate an Arsacid over the Armenian throne, choosing his eldest son [[Arsaces I of Armenia|Arsaces]] as a suitable candidate. The throne was disputed by the younger son of Artabanus, [[Orodes of Armenia|Orodes]]. Tiberius quickly concentrated more forces on the Roman frontier and once again after a decade of peace, Armenia was to become for twenty-five years the theater of bitter warfare between the two greatest powers of the known world. Tiberius, sent an Iberian named [[Mithridates of Armenia|Mithridates]], who claimed to be of Arsacid blood. Mithridates successfully recovered Armenia and deposed Arsaces causing much devastation to the country. Surprisingly, Mithridates was summoned back to Rome where he was kept a prisoner, and Armenia was given back to Artabanus who gave the throne to his younger son Orodes. Another civil war erupted in Parthia upon the death of Artabanus. Mithridates was put back on the Armenian throne, with the help of his brother, [[Pharsman I of Iberia|Pharasmanes I of Iberia]], and Roman troops. Civil war continued in Parthia for several years with [[Gotarzes II|Gotarzes]] eventually seizing the throne in 45. In 51, Mithridates’ nephew [[Radamisto|Radamistus]] invaded Armenia and killed his uncle. The governor of Cappadocia, Julius Pailinus, decided to conquer Armenia but settled for crowning Radamistus who generously rewarded him. The current Parthian King [[Vologeses I]], saw an opportunity, invaded Armenia and succeeded in forcing the Iberians to withdraw. The harsh winter that followed proved too much for the Parthians who withdrew, leaving the door open for Radamistus to regain his throne. Back in power, according to [[Tacitus]] the Iberian was so cruel that the Armenians stormed the palace and forced Radamistus out of the country and Vologeses was able to put his brother Tiridates on the throne.
+
The first appearance of an Arsacid on the Armenian throne came about in AD 12 when the Parthian King [[Vonones I]] was exiled from Parthia due to his pro-Roman policies and Occidental manners.<ref>Josephus. [http://wesley.nnu.edu/biblical_studies/josephus/ant-18.htm ''Jewish Antiquities'', 18.4.] Wesley Center for Applied Theology. Translated by William Whiston. Retrieved October 18, 2008.</ref> Vonones I briefly acquired the Armenian throne with Roman consent, but [[Artabanus II]] demanded his deposition, and as [[Augustus]] did not wish to begin a war with the Parthians he deposed Vonones I and sent him to [[Syria]]. Wasting no time Artabanus installed his son Orodes on the Armenian throne. [[Tiberius]] had no intention of giving up the buffer states of the Eastern frontier and sent his nephew and heir [[Germanicus]] to the East, who concluded a treaty with Artabanus, in which he was recognized as king and friend of the Romans.
 +
 
 +
Armenia was given in 18 to [[Artaxias III|Zeno]] the son of [[Polemon I of Pontus]], who assumed the Armenian name Artaxias.<ref>Tacitus. [http://classics.mit.edu/Tacitus/annals.2.ii.html Annals, 2.43, 2.56.] MIT. Translated by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb. Retrieved October 18, 2008.</ref> The Parthians under Artabanus were too distracted by internal strife to oppose the Roman-appointed King. Zeno's reign was remarkably peaceful in Armenian history. Once Zeno died in 34, Artabanus decided to reinstate an Arsacid over the Armenian throne, choosing his eldest son [[Arsaces I of Armenia|Arsaces]] as a suitable candidate. The throne was disputed by the younger son of Artabanus, [[Orodes of Armenia|Orodes]]. Tiberius quickly concentrated more forces on the Roman frontier and once again after a decade of peace, Armenia was to become for twenty-five years the theater of bitter warfare between the two greatest powers of the known world. Tiberius, sent an Iberian named [[Mithridates of Armenia|Mithridates]], who claimed to be of Arsacid blood. Mithridates successfully recovered Armenia and deposed Arsaces causing much devastation to the country. Surprisingly, Mithridates was summoned back to Rome where he was kept a prisoner, and Armenia was given back to Artabanus who gave the throne to his younger son Orodes. Another civil war erupted in Parthia upon the death of Artabanus. Mithridates was put back on the Armenian throne, with the help of his brother, [[Pharsman I of Iberia|Pharasmanes I of Iberia]], and Roman troops. Civil war continued in Parthia for several years with [[Gotarzes II|Gotarzes]] eventually seizing the throne in 45. In 51, Mithridates’ nephew [[Radamisto|Radamistus]] invaded Armenia and killed his uncle. The governor of Cappadocia, Julius Pailinus, decided to conquer Armenia but settled for crowning Radamistus who generously rewarded him. The current Parthian King [[Vologeses I]], saw an opportunity, invaded Armenia and succeeded in forcing the Iberians to withdraw. The harsh winter that followed proved too much for the Parthians who withdrew, leaving the door open for Radamistus to regain his throne. Back in power, the Iberian was so cruel that the Armenians stormed the palace and forced Radamistus out of the country and Vologeses was able to put his brother Tiridates on the throne.
  
 
==Between Rome and Parthia==
 
==Between Rome and Parthia==
Unhappy with the growing [[Parthia]]n influence at their doorstep, Roman Emperor [[Nero]] sent General [[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo]] with a large army to the east in order to restore Roman [[client king]]s. Tiridates escaped and a Roman [[client king]] was setup again. The Roman appointed King [[Tigranes VI]] invaded the Kingdom of [[Adiabene]] in 61, which was a vassal of Parthians. Vologeses considered this as an act of aggression from Rome and restarted a campaign to put Tiridates back on the Armenian throne. Following the [[Battle of Rhandeia]] in 62. The command of the Roman troops was again entrusted to Corbulo, who marched into Armenia and set a camp in Rhandeia, where he made a peace agreement with Tiridates upon which Tiridates was recognized king of Armenia but he would be a client of Rome. Tiridates agreed that he would go to Rome to be crowned by Nero. Tiridates ruled Armenia until his death or deposition around 100/110. [[Osroes I of Parthia]] invaded [[Armenia]] and placed his nephew [[Axidares]], the son of [[Pacorus II]] as King of Armenia.
+
Unhappy with the growing [[Parthia]]n influence at their doorstep, Roman Emperor [[Nero]] sent General [[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo]] with a large army to the east in order to restore Roman client kings. Tiridates escaped and a Roman client king was setup again. The Roman appointed King [[Tigranes VI]] invaded the Kingdom of [[Adiabene]] in 61, which was a vassal of Parthians. Vologeses considered this as an act of aggression from Rome and restarted a campaign to put Tiridates back on the Armenian throne. Following the Battle of Rhandeia in 62. The command of the Roman troops was again entrusted to Corbulo, who marched into Armenia and set a camp in Rhandeia, where he made a peace agreement with Tiridates upon which Tiridates was recognized king of Armenia but he would be a client of Rome. Tiridates agreed that he would go to Rome to be crowned by Nero. Tiridates ruled Armenia until his death or deposition around 100/110. [[Osroes I of Parthia]] invaded Armenia and placed his nephew Axidares, the son of Pacorus II as King of Armenia.
 
[[Image:RomanArmenia.png|left|thumb|Greater Armenia as part of the Roman Empire (in red), Lesser Armenia (in blue).]]
 
[[Image:RomanArmenia.png|left|thumb|Greater Armenia as part of the Roman Empire (in red), Lesser Armenia (in blue).]]
This enchroachment on the traditional sphere of influence of the [[Roman Empire]] ended the peace since the time of [[Nero]] some 50 years earlier and started a new war with the [[Roman emperor]] [[Trajan]].<ref>Statius Silvae 5.1; Dio Cassius 68.17.1.; Arrian ''Parthica'' frs 37/40</ref> Trajan marched towards Armenia on October, 113 to restore a Roman [[client king]] in Armenia. At [[Athens]] Osroes’ envoys met him, informing him that Axidares had been deposed and asking that the latter's elder brother, [[Parthamasiris]], be granted the throne. Trajan declined and by August 114 he captured [[Arsamosata]] where Parthamasiris asked to be crowned, but instead of crowning him, he annexed the kingdom to the Roman Empire.<ref>Dio Cassius 68.17.2-3</ref> Parthamasiris was dismissed and died mysteriously soon afterwards. As a Roman province Armenia was administered along with [[Cappadocia]] by Catilius Severus of the [[gens Claudia]].  
+
This enchroachment on the traditional sphere of influence of the [[Roman Empire]] ended the peace since the time of [[Nero]] some 50 years earlier and started a new war with the Roman emperor [[Trajan]]. Trajan marched towards Armenia on October, 113 to restore a Roman client king in Armenia. At [[Athens]] Osroes’ envoys met him, informing him that Axidares had been deposed and asking that the latter's elder brother, Parthamasiris, be granted the throne.<ref>Birlery, page 48.</ref> Trajan declined and by August 114 he captured Arsamosata where Parthamasiris asked to be crowned, but instead of crowning him, he annexed the kingdom to the Roman Empire. Parthamasiris was dismissed and died mysteriously soon after. As a Roman province Armenia was administered along with Cappadocia by Catilius Severus of the gens Claudia.  
  
The Roman senate issued coins on this occasion bearing the following inscription: ''ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P.R. REDACTAE''', thus solidifying Armenia's position as the newest Roman province. A rebellion by a Parthian pretender [[Sanatruces II of Parthia|Sanatruces]] was put down, though sporadic resistance continued and [[Vologases III of Parthia]] managed to secure a sizeable chunk of Armenia just before Trajan's death in August of 117. However, in 118 the new Emperor [[Hadrian]] gave up Trajan's conquests including Armenia and made [[Parthamaspates]] King of Armenia and [[Osroene]], though Vologases III held most of the country. A compromise with the Parthians was reached eventually and the Parthian [[Vologases I of Armenia|Vologases]] was placed in charge of Armenia. He ruled Armenia until 140 A.D. [[Vologases IV of Parthia]] dispatched troops to seize Armenia in 161 and eradicated the Roman legions stationed there under [[legatus]] C. Severianus, encouraged by the [[spahbod]] Osroes, Parthian troops marched further West into Roman Syria.<ref>Sellwood Coinage of Parthia 257-60, 268-77; Debevoise History of Parthia 245; Dio Cass.
+
The Roman senate issued coins on this occasion bearing the following inscription: ''ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P.R. REDACTAE''', thus solidifying Armenia's position as the newest Roman province. A rebellion by a Parthian pretender [[Sanatruces II of Parthia|Sanatruces]] was put down, though sporadic resistance continued and [[Vologases III of Parthia]] managed to secure a sizeable chunk of Armenia just before Trajan's death in August of 117. However, in 118 the new Emperor [[Hadrian]] gave up Trajan's conquests including Armenia and made Parthamaspates King of Armenia and Osroene, though Vologases III held most of the country. A compromise with the Parthians was reached eventually and the Parthian [[Vologases I of Armenia|Vologases]] was placed in charge of Armenia. He ruled Armenia until 140 C.E. [[Vologases IV of Parthia]] dispatched troops to seize Armenia in 161 and eradicated the Roman legions stationed there under legatus C. Severianus, encouraged by the [[spahbod]] Osroes, Parthian troops marched further West into Roman Syria. [[Marcus Aurelius]] immediately sent [[Lucius Verus]] to the Eastern front. In 163, Verus dispatched General [[Statius Priscus]] who was recently transferred from [[Roman Britain|Britain]] with several legions to Armenia from [[Antioch]]. Vologases' army surrendered in Artaxata and Priscus installed a Roman puppet, Sohaemus (a Roman senator and consul of Arsacid and Emessan ancestry) on the Armenian throne, deposing a certain Pacorus installed by Vologases III.
71.2.1.</ref> [[Marcus Aurelius]] immediately sent [[Lucius Verus]] to the Eastern front. In 163, Verus dispatched General [[Statius Priscus]] who was recently transferred from [[Roman Britain|Britain]] with several legions to Armenia from [[Antioch]]. Vologases' army surrendered in Artaxata and Priscus installed a Roman puppet, Sohaemus (a Roman senator and consul of Arsacid and Emessan ancestry) on the Armenian throne, deposing a certain Pacorus installed by Vologases III.<ref>HA Marcus Antoninus 9.1, Verus 7.1; Dio Cass. 71.3.</ref>
+
[[Image:Denarius-Lucius Verus-Arenia-s1537.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Coin issued to celebrate the victory of Lucius Verus ''Armeniacus'' against [[Vologases IV of Parthia]] in the war for Armenia.]] 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.  After a few intervening Roman and Parthian rulers, the son of Vologases I of Armenia, [[Vologases V of Parthia|Vologaes II]] assumed the throne in 186 C.E. In 191 he assumed the Parthian throne and named his son [[Khosrov I]] to the Armenian throne. Khosrov was subsequently captured by the Romans, who installed one of their own to take charge of Armenia. However the Armenians themselves revolted against their Roman overlords, and, in a new Rome-Parthia compromise, Khosrov's son, Trdat II (217 - 252 C.E.), was made king of Armenia.<ref>Hovannisian, page 71.</ref>
[[Image:Denarius-Lucius Verus-Arenia-s1537.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Coin issued to celebrate the victory of Lucius Verus ''Armeniacus'' against [[Vologases IV of Parthia]] in the war for Armenia.]] 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.<ref>HA Verus 8.1-4; Dio Cass. 71.2.</ref> After a few intervening Roman and Parthian rulers, the son of Vologases I of Armenia, [[Vologases V of Parthia|Vologaes II]] assumed the throne in 186 A.D. In 191 he assumed the Parthian throne and named his son [[Khosrov I]] to the Armenian throne. Khosrov was subsequently captured by the Romans, who installed one of their own to take charge of Armenia. However the Armenians themselves revolted against their Roman overlords, and, in a new Rome-Parthia compromise, Khosrov's son, Trdat II (217 - 252 A.D.), was made king of Armenia.
 
  
 
==Sassanids and Armenia==
 
==Sassanids and Armenia==
In 224 A.D. [[Ardashir I]] overthrew the Arsacids in Parthia and began the new Persian [[Sassanid dynasty]]. The Sassanids were determined to restore the old glory of the [[Achaemenid Persia]], making [[Zoroastrianism]] the state religion and claiming Armenia as part of the empire. To preserve the autonomy of Arshakuni rule in Armenia, Trdat II sought friendly relations with Rome. This was an unfortunate choice, because the Sassanid king [[Shapur I]] defeated the Romans and struck a peace with the emperor Philip, whereby Rome acquiesced to paying tribute and relinquishing control of [[Kingdom of Armenia|Greater Armenia]]. In 252 A.D. Shapur invaded Armenia and, forcing Trdat to flee, installed his own son Hurmazd on the Armenian throne. When Shapur died in 270 A.D., Hurmazd took the Persian throne and his brother Narseh ruled Armenia in his stead. Under Diocletian, Rome tried to install Khosrov II as ruler of Armenia, and between 279 and 287 A.D. he was in possession of the western parts of Armenian territory. But the Sasanids stirred some nobles to revolt, killing Khosrov in the process. When Narseh left to take the Persian throne in 293 A.D., Khosrov's murderer was installed on the Armenian throne. Rome nevertheless defeated Narseh in 298 A.D., and Khosrov's son Trdat III regained control of Armenia with the support of Roman soldiers.
+
In 224 C.E. [[Ardashir I]] overthrew the Arsacids in Parthia and began the new Persian [[Sassanid dynasty]]. The Sassanids were determined to restore the old glory of the [[Achaemenid Persia]], making [[Zoroastrianism]] the state religion and claiming Armenia as part of the empire. To preserve the autonomy of Arshakuni rule in Armenia, Trdat II sought friendly relations with Rome. This was an unfortunate choice, because the Sassanid king [[Shapur I]] defeated the Romans and struck a peace with the emperor Philip, whereby Rome acquiesced to paying tribute and relinquishing control of [[Kingdom of Armenia|Greater Armenia]]. In 252 C.E. Shapur invaded Armenia and, forcing Trdat to flee, installed his own son Hurmazd on the Armenian throne. When Shapur died in 270 C.E., Hurmazd took the Persian throne and his brother Narseh ruled Armenia in his stead. Under Diocletian, Rome tried to install Khosrov II as ruler of Armenia, and between 279 and 287 C.E. he was in possession of the western parts of Armenian territory. But the Sasanids stirred some nobles to revolt, killing Khosrov in the process. When Narseh left to take the Persian throne in 293 C.E., Khosrov's murderer was installed on the Armenian throne. Rome nevertheless defeated Narseh in 298 C.E., and Khosrov's son Trdat III regained control of Armenia with the support of Roman soldiers.
  
 
==Christianization==
 
==Christianization==
 
 
[[Image:Tiridates III of Armenia-Baptism.jpg|thumb|left|Baptism of [[Tiridates III of Armenia|Tiridates III]].]]
 
[[Image:Tiridates III of Armenia-Baptism.jpg|thumb|left|Baptism of [[Tiridates III of Armenia|Tiridates III]].]]
  
In 314, [[Gregory the Illuminator|St. Gregory the Illuminator]] converted [[Tiridates III of Armenia|King Tiridates III]] and members of his court <ref>Academic American Encyclopedia - Page 172 by Grolier Incorporated</ref> (traditionally dated to 301 following [[Mikayel Chamchian]] 1784)<ref>Estimated dates vary from 284 to 314. 314 is the date favoured by mainstream scholarship, so Garsoïan (''op.cit.'' p.82), following the research of Ananian, and Seibt (2002).</ref>.  
+
In 314, [[Gregory the Illuminator|St. Gregory the Illuminator]] converted [[Tiridates III of Armenia|King Tiridates III]] and members of his court <ref>Grolier Incorporated. 1991. ''Academic American encyclopedia.'' Danbury, Conn: Grolier. ISBN 9780717220342 page 172.</ref> (traditionally dated to 301.  
  
The [[Armenian alphabet]] was created by  [[Saint Mesrob|Saint Mesrop Mashtots]] in 406 for the purpose of translating the Bible, and Christianization at thus also marks the beginning of [[Armenian literature]].
+
The Armenian alphabet was created by  [[Saint Mesrob|Saint Mesrop Mashtots]] in 406 for the purpose of translating the Bible, and Christianization at thus also marks the beginning of Armenian [[literature]].
According to [[Moses of Chorene]], [[Isaac of Armenia]] made a translation of the Gospel from the Syriac text about 411. This work must have been considered imperfect, for soon afterwards [[John of Egheghiatz]] and [[Joseph of Baghin]] were sent to [[Osroene|Edessa]] to translate the Scriptures. They journeyed as far as Constantinople, and brought back with them authentic copies of the Greek text. With the help of other copies obtained from Alexandria the Bible was translated again from the Greek according to the text of the [[Septuagint]] and [[Origen]]'s ''[[Hexapla]]''. This version, now in use in the Armenian Church, was completed about 434.
+
According to [[Moses of Chorene]], [[Isaac of Armenia]] made a translation of the Gospel from the Syriac text about 411. This work must have been considered imperfect, for soon afterw [[John of Egheghiatz]] and [[Joseph of Baghin]] were sent to Edessa to translate the Scriptures. They journeyed as far as [[Constantinople]], and brought back with them authentic copies of the Greek text. With the help of other copies obtained from Alexandria the Bible was translated again from the Greek according to the text of the [[Septuagint]] and [[Origen]]'s ''[[Hexapla]]''. This version, now in use in the Armenian Church, was completed about 434.<ref>Smith, William, and Henry Wace. 1880. ''A dictionary of Christian biography, literature, sects and doctrines, being a continuation of "The dictionary of the Bible.".'' London: J. Murray. page 692.</ref>
  
 
==Decline==
 
==Decline==
In 337, during the reign of [[Khosrov III the Small]], [[Shapur II]] invaded Armenia. Over the following decades, Armenia was once again disputed territory between [[East Rome]] and the [[Sassanid Empire]], until a permanent settlement in 387, which remained in place until the [[Arab conquest of Armenia]] in 639. Arsacid rulers intermittently (competing with [[List of Bagratuni rulers of Armenia|Bagratuni]] princes) remained in control of some extent of power, as governors (''marzban'') under either Byzantine or Persian protectorate, until 428.
+
In 337, during the reign of [[Khosrov III the Small]], [[Shapur II]] invaded Armenia. Over the following decades, Armenia was once again disputed territory between East Rome and the [[Sassanid Empire]], until a permanent settlement in 387, which remained in place until the [[Arab conquest of Armenia]] in 639. Arsacid rulers intermittently (competing with [[List of Bagratuni rulers of Armenia|Bagratuni]] princes) remained in control of some extent of power, as governors ''(marzban)'' under either Byzantine or Persian protectorate, until 428.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
Line 36: Line 34:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
*History of Education in Armenia - by Kevork A. Sarafian, G A Sarafean
+
* Birley, Anthony Richard. 1976. ''Lives of the later Caesars: the first part of the Augustan history : with newly compiled Lives of Nerva and Trajan.'' Harmondsworth, Eng: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780140443080
*The heritage of Armenian literature Vol.1 - by A. J. (Agop Jack) Hacikyan, Nourhan Ouzounian, Edward S. Franchuk, Gabriel Basmajian
+
* Hovannisian, Richard G. 1997. ''The Armenian people from ancient to modern times. from antiquity to the fourteenth century vol. 1, The dynastic periods.'' New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312101695
*W. Seibt (ed.), ''The Christianization of Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Albania)'' (2002), ISBN 978-3-7001-3016-1
+
* Olson, James Stuart, Lee Brigance Pappas, and Nicholas Charles Pappas. 1994. ''An Ethnohistorical dictionary of the Russian and Soviet empires.'' Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313274978
 
+
* Redgate, A. E. 1998. ''The Armenians.'' Peoples of Europe. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers. ISBN 9780631143727
==See also==
 
*[[List of Armenian Kings]]
 
*[[Armenian nobility]]
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
Line 52: Line 47:
 
[[Category:History of Armenia]]
 
[[Category:History of Armenia]]
 
[[Category:Armenian noble houses]]
 
[[Category:Armenian noble houses]]
 
[[ca:Llista de nakharars]]
 
[[es:Dinastía arsácida de Armenia]]
 
[[fr:Arsacides (Arménie)]]
 
[[hy:Արշակունիներ]]
 
[[it:Arsacidi d'Armenia]]
 
[[ka:არშაკუნიანები]]
 
[[nl:Arsacid dynastie (van Armenië)]]
 
[[ru:Аршакуни]]
 
[[simple:Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia]]
 
  
 
{{Credit|226003975}}
 
{{Credit|226003975}}

Revision as of 21:46, 18 October 2008

Kingdom of Armenia under the Arshakuni Dynasty, 150

The Arsacid Dynasty (Arshakuni Dynasty) ruled the Kingdom of Armenia from 54 to 428. Formerly a branch of the [Parthian Arsacids, they became a distinctly Armenian dynasty.[1] Arsacid Kings reigned intermittently throughout the chaotic years following the fall of the Artaxiad Dynasty until 62 when Tiridates I of Armenia secured Arsacid rule in Armenia. An independent line of Kings was established by Vologases II of Armenia (Valarses/Vagharshak) in 180. 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.

Early Arsacids

The first appearance of an Arsacid on the Armenian throne came about in AD 12 when the Parthian King Vonones I was exiled from Parthia due to his pro-Roman policies and Occidental manners.[2] Vonones I briefly acquired the Armenian throne with Roman consent, but Artabanus II demanded his deposition, and as Augustus did not wish to begin a war with the Parthians he deposed Vonones I and sent him to Syria. Wasting no time Artabanus installed his son Orodes on the Armenian throne. Tiberius had no intention of giving up the buffer states of the Eastern frontier and sent his nephew and heir Germanicus to the East, who concluded a treaty with Artabanus, in which he was recognized as king and friend of the Romans.

Armenia was given in 18 to Zeno the son of Polemon I of Pontus, who assumed the Armenian name Artaxias.[3] The Parthians under Artabanus were too distracted by internal strife to oppose the Roman-appointed King. Zeno's reign was remarkably peaceful in Armenian history. Once Zeno died in 34, Artabanus decided to reinstate an Arsacid over the Armenian throne, choosing his eldest son Arsaces as a suitable candidate. The throne was disputed by the younger son of Artabanus, Orodes. Tiberius quickly concentrated more forces on the Roman frontier and once again after a decade of peace, Armenia was to become for twenty-five years the theater of bitter warfare between the two greatest powers of the known world. Tiberius, sent an Iberian named Mithridates, who claimed to be of Arsacid blood. Mithridates successfully recovered Armenia and deposed Arsaces causing much devastation to the country. Surprisingly, Mithridates was summoned back to Rome where he was kept a prisoner, and Armenia was given back to Artabanus who gave the throne to his younger son Orodes. Another civil war erupted in Parthia upon the death of Artabanus. Mithridates was put back on the Armenian throne, with the help of his brother, Pharasmanes I of Iberia, and Roman troops. Civil war continued in Parthia for several years with Gotarzes eventually seizing the throne in 45. In 51, Mithridates’ nephew Radamistus invaded Armenia and killed his uncle. The governor of Cappadocia, Julius Pailinus, decided to conquer Armenia but settled for crowning Radamistus who generously rewarded him. The current Parthian King Vologeses I, saw an opportunity, invaded Armenia and succeeded in forcing the Iberians to withdraw. The harsh winter that followed proved too much for the Parthians who withdrew, leaving the door open for Radamistus to regain his throne. Back in power, the Iberian was so cruel that the Armenians stormed the palace and forced Radamistus out of the country and Vologeses was able to put his brother Tiridates on the throne.

Between Rome and Parthia

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 restore Roman client kings. Tiridates escaped and a Roman client king was setup again. The Roman appointed King Tigranes VI invaded the Kingdom of Adiabene in 61, which was a vassal of Parthians. Vologeses considered this as an act of aggression from Rome and restarted a campaign to put Tiridates back on the Armenian throne. Following the Battle of Rhandeia in 62. The command of the Roman troops was again entrusted to Corbulo, who marched into Armenia and set a camp in Rhandeia, where he made a peace agreement with Tiridates upon which Tiridates was recognized king of Armenia but he would be a client of Rome. Tiridates agreed that he would go to Rome to be crowned by Nero. Tiridates ruled Armenia until his death or deposition around 100/110. Osroes I of Parthia invaded Armenia and placed his nephew Axidares, the son of Pacorus II as King of Armenia.

Greater Armenia as part of the Roman Empire (in red), Lesser Armenia (in blue).

This enchroachment on the traditional sphere of influence of the Roman Empire ended the peace since the time of Nero some 50 years earlier and started a new war with the Roman emperor Trajan. Trajan marched towards Armenia on October, 113 to restore a Roman client king in Armenia. At Athens Osroes’ envoys met him, informing him that Axidares had been deposed and asking that the latter's elder brother, Parthamasiris, be granted the throne.[4] Trajan declined and by August 114 he captured Arsamosata where Parthamasiris asked to be crowned, but instead of crowning him, he annexed the kingdom to the Roman Empire. Parthamasiris was dismissed and died mysteriously soon after. As a Roman province Armenia was administered along with Cappadocia by Catilius Severus of the gens Claudia.

The Roman senate issued coins on this occasion bearing the following inscription: ARMENIA ET MESOPOTAMIA IN POTESTATEM P.R. REDACTAE', thus solidifying Armenia's position as the newest Roman province. A rebellion by a Parthian pretender Sanatruces was put down, though sporadic resistance continued and Vologases III of Parthia managed to secure a sizeable chunk of Armenia just before Trajan's death in August of 117. However, in 118 the new Emperor Hadrian gave up Trajan's conquests including Armenia and made Parthamaspates King of Armenia and Osroene, though Vologases III held most of the country. A compromise with the Parthians was reached eventually and the Parthian Vologases was placed in charge of Armenia. He ruled Armenia until 140 C.E. Vologases IV of Parthia dispatched troops to seize Armenia in 161 and eradicated the Roman legions stationed there under legatus C. Severianus, encouraged by the spahbod Osroes, Parthian troops marched further West into Roman Syria. Marcus Aurelius immediately sent Lucius Verus to the Eastern front. In 163, Verus dispatched General Statius Priscus who was recently transferred from Britain with several legions to Armenia from Antioch. Vologases' army surrendered in Artaxata and Priscus installed a Roman puppet, Sohaemus (a Roman senator and consul of Arsacid and Emessan ancestry) on the Armenian throne, deposing a certain Pacorus installed by Vologases III.

Coin issued to celebrate the victory of Lucius Verus Armeniacus against Vologases IV of Parthia in the war for Armenia.

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. After a few intervening Roman and Parthian rulers, the son of Vologases I of Armenia, Vologaes II assumed the throne in 186 C.E. In 191 he assumed the Parthian throne and named his son Khosrov I to the Armenian throne. Khosrov was subsequently captured by the Romans, who installed one of their own to take charge of Armenia. However the Armenians themselves revolted against their Roman overlords, and, in a new Rome-Parthia compromise, Khosrov's son, Trdat II (217 - 252 C.E.), was made king of Armenia.[5]

Sassanids and Armenia

In 224 C.E. Ardashir I overthrew the Arsacids in Parthia and began the new Persian Sassanid dynasty. The Sassanids were determined to restore the old glory of the Achaemenid Persia, making Zoroastrianism the state religion and claiming Armenia as part of the empire. To preserve the autonomy of Arshakuni rule in Armenia, Trdat II sought friendly relations with Rome. This was an unfortunate choice, because the Sassanid king Shapur I defeated the Romans and struck a peace with the emperor Philip, whereby Rome acquiesced to paying tribute and relinquishing control of Greater Armenia. In 252 C.E. Shapur invaded Armenia and, forcing Trdat to flee, installed his own son Hurmazd on the Armenian throne. When Shapur died in 270 C.E., Hurmazd took the Persian throne and his brother Narseh ruled Armenia in his stead. Under Diocletian, Rome tried to install Khosrov II as ruler of Armenia, and between 279 and 287 C.E. he was in possession of the western parts of Armenian territory. But the Sasanids stirred some nobles to revolt, killing Khosrov in the process. When Narseh left to take the Persian throne in 293 C.E., Khosrov's murderer was installed on the Armenian throne. Rome nevertheless defeated Narseh in 298 C.E., and Khosrov's son Trdat III regained control of Armenia with the support of Roman soldiers.

Christianization

Baptism of Tiridates III.

In 314, St. Gregory the Illuminator converted King Tiridates III and members of his court [6] (traditionally dated to 301.

The Armenian alphabet was created by Saint Mesrop Mashtots in 406 for the purpose of translating the Bible, and Christianization at thus also marks the beginning of Armenian literature. According to Moses of Chorene, Isaac of Armenia made a translation of the Gospel from the Syriac text about 411. This work must have been considered imperfect, for soon afterw John of Egheghiatz and Joseph of Baghin were sent to Edessa to translate the Scriptures. They journeyed as far as Constantinople, and brought back with them authentic copies of the Greek text. With the help of other copies obtained from Alexandria the Bible was translated again from the Greek according to the text of the Septuagint and Origen's Hexapla. This version, now in use in the Armenian Church, was completed about 434.[7]

Decline

In 337, during the reign of Khosrov III the Small, Shapur II invaded Armenia. Over the following decades, Armenia was once again disputed territory between East Rome and the Sassanid Empire, until a permanent settlement in 387, which remained in place until the Arab conquest of Armenia in 639. Arsacid rulers intermittently (competing with Bagratuni princes) remained in control of some extent of power, as governors (marzban) under either Byzantine or Persian protectorate, until 428.

Notes

  1. Olson, page 42.
  2. Josephus. Jewish Antiquities, 18.4. Wesley Center for Applied Theology. Translated by William Whiston. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  3. Tacitus. Annals, 2.43, 2.56. MIT. Translated by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  4. Birlery, page 48.
  5. Hovannisian, page 71.
  6. Grolier Incorporated. 1991. Academic American encyclopedia. Danbury, Conn: Grolier. ISBN 9780717220342 page 172.
  7. Smith, William, and Henry Wace. 1880. A dictionary of Christian biography, literature, sects and doctrines, being a continuation of "The dictionary of the Bible.". London: J. Murray. page 692.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Birley, Anthony Richard. 1976. Lives of the later Caesars: the first part of the Augustan history : with newly compiled Lives of Nerva and Trajan. Harmondsworth, Eng: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780140443080
  • Hovannisian, Richard G. 1997. The Armenian people from ancient to modern times. from antiquity to the fourteenth century vol. 1, The dynastic periods. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312101695
  • Olson, James Stuart, Lee Brigance Pappas, and Nicholas Charles Pappas. 1994. An Ethnohistorical dictionary of the Russian and Soviet empires. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313274978
  • Redgate, A. E. 1998. The Armenians. Peoples of Europe. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers. ISBN 9780631143727

External links

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.