| Mithridates | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1st-century BC Mtskheta,Kingdom of Iberia |
| Died | AD 51 |
| Spouse | daughter ofPharasmanes I |
| Issue | Zenobia of Armenia |
| Dynasty | Pharnavazid dynasty |
| Father | Kartam of Colchis |
| Mother | daughter ofPharnavaz II of Iberia |
Mithridates of Armenia (fl. 1st century) was aPharnavazid prince of the Kingdom of Iberia who served as aKing of Armenia under the protection of theRoman Empire.
Mithridates was installed byRoman emperorTiberius, who invaded Armenia in AD 35. When theParthian princeOrodes, son ofArtabanus II of Parthia, attempted to dispossess Mithridates of his newly acquired kingdom, Mithridates led a large Armenian and Iberian army and defeated the Parthians in a pitched battle.[1]
Around AD 37, the new emperorCaligula had Mithridates arrested, butClaudius restored him to the Armenian throne in AD 42.[2] Subsequently, Mithridates' relations with his brotherPharasmanes I deteriorated to the point where the Iberian king instructed his son,Rhadamistus, toinvade Armenia.
Betrayed by his Roman commanders, Mithridates surrendered in theSiege of Garni. Roman historianCassius Dio reports a likely apocryphal confrontation of Mithridates and Claudius inRome.
Mithridates, king of the Iberians, having been defeated in a conflict with a Roman army and despairing of his life, begged that a hearing should be granted him in order that he might not be summarily executed or led in the triumphal procession. When his request had been granted, Claudius received him in Rome, seated on a tribunal, and addressed threatening words to him. But the king answered boldly, and ended by saying: "I was not brought to you; I came. If you doubt it, release me and try to find me."[3]
In 51 AD, Mithridates was murdered by Rhadamistus,[2] who usurped the crown and married his cousinZenobia, Mithridates' daughter.
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | King of Armenia 35 – 37 42 – 51 (2nd reign) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Succeeded by | |
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