| Cleopatra of Pontus | |
|---|---|
| Queen Consort | |
| Reign | 94 BC-58 BC |
| Born | 110 BC |
| Died | after 58 BC |
| Consort | Tigranes the Great |
| Issue | Artavasdes II of Armenia |
| Dynasty | Mithridatic |
| Father | Mithridates VI Eupator |
| Mother | Laodice |
| Religion | Hellenistic Paganism |
Cleopatra of Pontus (Ancient Greek: Κλεοπάτρα; 110 BC – after 58 BC) was aPontian princess and a queen consort ofArmenia.
She was one of the daughters of KingMithridates VI of Pontus and QueenLaodice. Cleopatra is sometimes known asCleopatra the Elder, to distinguish her from her sister of the same name and was born and raised in theKingdom of Pontus. She was the wife of the Armenian KingTigranes the Great.[1]
She married Tigranes in 94 BC, cementing the alliance between Pontus and Armenia. She played a decisive role in the life of Tigranes and all of Armenia. Cleopatra bore Tigranes four sons: Zariadres,Artavasdes II of Armenia, Tigranes and an other, and three daughters.[citation needed] One daughter married KingPacorus I of Parthia and the other married KingMithridates I of Media Atropatene.[citation needed]
Tigranes chose a foreign policy different from that of Mithridates towards theRoman Republic based on his interests, and he eventually signed a treaty with Rome following theBattle of Artaxata in 68 BC, as a result of which Cleopatra, under the influence of her father, instigated their sons to betray Tigranes. In 66 BC,Pompey captured the younger Tigranes and took him to Rome as a hostage. Tigranes later escaped in 58 BC with the assistance ofPublius Clodius Pulcher. Roman historianAsconius described the event. The sons attempted unsuccessfully to seize the throne from Tigranes; Zariadres and his younger brother were executed by Tigranes.[citation needed]
Cleopatra escaped to her father and lived the remainder of her life in Pontus.[citation needed]