| Tigranes III | |
|---|---|
 Atetradrachm of Tigranes III | |
| King of Armenia | |
| Reign | 20 – 8 BC |
| Predecessor | Artaxias II |
| Successor | Tigranes IV andErato |
| Died | 8 BC |
| Issue | Tigranes IV Erato of Armenia |
| Dynasty | Artaxiad |
| Father | Artavasdes II |
| Religion | Zoroastrianism |
Tigranes III (50s BC–8 BC)[1] was a prince of theKingdom of Armenia and member of theArtaxiad dynasty who served as a Roman client king of Armenia.
Tigranes III was the second son born toArtavasdes II of Armenia[2] by a mother whose name is unknown. Tigranes III had an elder brother calledArtaxias II[3] and a sister,[4] name unknown, who possibly married KingArchelaus of Cappadocia. He was born and raised in Armenia. Tigranes III was the namesake of his paternal grandfather, a previous ruling Armenian KingTigranes the Great, also known as Tigranes II.
The Roman TriumvirMark Antony had captured Artavasdes II with his family, in which they were taken as political prisoners toAlexandria where Artavasdes II was later executed there on the orders ofPtolemaic Greek QueenCleopatra VII of Egypt.[5] In 34 BC, Artaxias II had escaped and fled to KingPhraates IV of Parthia.[6] With the support of Phraates IV, he invaded Armenia and place Artaxias II on the throne.[7]
Sometime after theBattle of Actium in September 31 BC and Octavian (futureRoman emperorAugustus) invaded Egypt in 30 BC in which he annexed the country to the rule of theRoman Republic, Tigranes III was taken from Alexandria to live inRome. In Rome, Tigranes III had lived in political exile, in which during that time he was educated there. In 20 BC after living in Rome for 10 years,[8] Artaxias II proved to be an unpopular leader with his people.[9]
As the Armenians lost faith in their ruling monarch, they sent messengers to Augustus requesting him to remove Artaxias II from his throne and to install Tigranes III as his successor. Augustus agreed to the request from the Armenians.[10] Augustus sent his step-sonTiberius, with Tigranes III[11] with a large army to depose Artaxias II. Before Tiberius and Tigranes III arrived in Armenia, a cabal within the palace was successful in murdering Artaxias II.[12] The Romans installed Tigranes III as the new King of Armenia unopposed.
Tigranes III ruled as King of Armenia for 12 years.[13] Although he reigned for a substantial period of time, little is known on his reign. His Armenian kingship brought peace, stability to Armenia in which peaceful relations between Rome and Armenia were maintained.
Tigranes III was survived by two children from two different mothers whose names are unknown: a son calledTigranes IV and a daughter, calledErato,[14] who succeeded their father on the Armenian throne.[15]
Tigranes III | ||
| Preceded by | Prince of Armenia 20 BC – 8 BC | Succeeded by Tigranes IV andErato |