Khosrov I (Parthian:𐭇𐭅𐭎𐭓𐭅; fl. second half 2nd c. - first half 3rd c., died 217) was aParthian prince who served as a Roman client king ofArmenia.
Khosrov I was one of the sons born to KingVologases II of Armenia (Vagharsh II)[1] who is also known asVologases V of Parthia[2] by a mother whose name is unknown. Through his father, Khosrov I was a member of the House of Parthia and thus a relation of the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia.[3]
In 191, Vologases II ascended the Parthian throne, and as a result relinquished the Armenian throne to Khosrov I.[4][5] Throughout the 1st and 2nd-centuries, the Armenian throne was usually occupied by a close relative of the ParthianKing of Kings, who held the title of "Great King of Armenia".[6] According to the 5th-century Armenian historianAgathangelos, the king of Armenia had the second rank in the Parthian realm, below only the Parthian king.[7] The modern historian Lee E. Patterson suggests that Agathangelos may have exaggerated the importance of his homeland.[8] Khosrov I served as Armenian King from 191 until 217. In Armenian sources, Khosrov I is often confused with his famous grandsonKhosrov II.[9] Little is known on his life, prior to becoming King of Armenia.
Khosrov I is the King whom classical authors present as a neutral monarch towardsRome.[10] In 195 when theRoman emperorSeptimius Severus was on his great campaign to theParthian Empire sacking the capitalCtesiphon, Khosrov I had sent gifts and hostages to Severus.[11] As a client monarch of Rome, Khosrov I was under the protection of Septimius Severus and his successorCaracalla.[12]
Between 214 and 216, Khosrov I with his family were held under Roman detention for unknown reasons which provoked a major uprising in Armenia against Rome.[13] In 215, Caracalla led a Roman army and invaded Armenia[14] to end the uprising. Khosrov I may be the Khosrov mentioned inan Egyptian inscription that speaks ofKhosrov the Armenian.[15]
In 217 when Khosrov I died, his sonTiridates II,[16] was granted the Armenian crown[17] by the Roman emperor Caracalla.[18] Tiridates II was declared King of Armenia upon Caracalla's assassination[19] which was on 8 April 217.
R.G. Hovannisian, The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times, Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiquity to the Fourteenth Century, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004
R.P. Adalian, Historical Dictionary of Armenia, Scarecrow Press, 2010
Patterson, Lee E. (2013)."Caracalla's Armenia".Syllecta Classica.2. Project Muse:27–61.
