Tigranes IV 8-5 BC

Tigranes IV inherited the throne in 8 BC, directly after the death of his father Tigranes III. Backed by the Artaxiad nobility and encouraged by Parthia, he and his sister-wife Erato were proclaimed joint monarchs at Artaxata. Their marriage followed Hellenistic precedent, preserving a “pure” dynastic line and concentrating legitimacy in one household. From the outset the couple distanced Armenia from Rome.

Diplomatically they courted Phraates V of Parthia, exchanging envoys and, according to later Armenian chronicles, promising mutual defence against Rome. Newly struck bronzes advertise the policy shift: the obverse shows a bearded king in the Artaxiad tiara, the legend reading ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΗΣ (“Great King Tigranes”) without any mention of Caesar. The title “Great King” echoed earlier Achaemenid pretensions and signaled parity with Parthia, not subordination to Rome.

Rome reacted in 5 BC. Acting on Augustus’ instructions, a legionary detachment escorted Prince Artavasdes III—a pro-Roman Artaxiad then residing in Rome—across the Euphrates. The expedition reached Artaxata, forced Tigranes IV and Erato to abandon the capital, and enthroned Artavasdes III as client king.