Artavasdes IV | |
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![]() Coin of Artavasdes IV | |
King of Armenia | |
Reign | 4 AD – 6 AD |
Predecessor | Ariobarzanes II |
Successor | Tigranes V andErato |
Died | 6 AD |
Father | Ariobarzanes II |
Artavasdes IV of Armenia;[1] also known asArtavasdes II of Atropatene;[2]Artavasdes II of Media Atropatene and Armenia Major;[3]Artavasdes II,[4] andArtavasdes[5] (20 BC – 6 AD[4]) was anIranian prince who served as King ofMedia Atropatene.[6] During his reign of Media Atropatene, Artavasdes also served as aRoman Client King of Armenia Major.[7][8]
Artavasdes was the first son born to KingAriobarzanes II of Atropatene[9] by an unnamed wife.[4] He had a younger brother called Gaius Julius Ariobarzanes I and may have had a possible nephew called Gaius Julius Ariobarzanes II.[4] Artavasdes was the namesake of his paternal grandfather, a previous ruling King of Media Atropatene and Sophene,Artavasdes I.[2] He was born and raised in Media Atropatene.
The father of Artavasdes, Ariobarzanes II died on June 26, 4[8] and Artavasdes succeeded his father as King of Media Atropatene and Armenia.[6] Like his father, Artavasdes in his kingship of Media Atropatene and Armenia, based his rule at Artagira, which his late father made the city, their capital.[10] As Artavasdes, was both King of Media Atropatene and Armenia, as King of Media Atropatene he is known asArtavasdes II and as King of Armenia, he is known asArtavasdes III.
Unfortunately, the reign of Artavasdes didn't last. As his father, as King was respected by his subjects,[11] this was the opposite for Artavasdes. As a ruling King, over the Atropatenians and Armenians, he proved to be an unpopular monarch. In 6,[4] Artavasdes was quickly killed[5] by his subjects.
In his Kingship of Media Atropatene, Artavasdes was succeeded by his paternal first cousinArtabanus and in the Kingship of Armenia theRoman emperorAugustus, appointed theHerodian PrinceTigranes.[12] Artavasdes from an unnamed wife was survived by a son called Gaius Julius Artavasdes.[4]
Coinage has survived from the reign of Artavasdes. They have been dated from 2 until 10.[13] An example of this is on one surviving coin dated from his reign, is on the obverse side shows the head of Augustus with the Greek inscriptionΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ which meansof Caesar, the God, the Benefactor, while on the reverse side shows the head of Artavasdes, with the Greek inscriptionΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΤΑΥΑΖΔΟΥ which meansof Great King Artavasdes.[13]
Artavasdes is mentioned in paragraphs 27 and 33 of theRes Gestae Divi Augusti. InRome, two Epitaph inscriptions have been found bearing the name of an Artavasdes. The Epitaphs are probably of the son and the grandson of a Median Atropatenian King calledAriobarzanes.[6] However it is uncertain, if theAriobarzanes refers toAriobarzanes I orAriobarzanes II.[6]
Although archaeological evidence reveals and shows that Artavasdes is the son of Ariobarzanes II, there is some confusion, and there are different, various theories on the origins of Artavasdes. Some modern historical sources and reference books state that he is a son ofArtavasdes II of Armenia. While others state he is either a brother or a paternal first cousin ofTigranes IV andErato. In fact, Artavasdes through his father was a distant relative of Artavasdes II of Armenia, Tigranes IV andErato.
Regnal titles | ||
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Preceded by | King of Atropatene 4 – 6 | Succeeded by |
King of Armenia 4 – 6 | Succeeded by |