Origin: Minted in Antioch
Circa: 83 BC to 69 BC
Collection: Numismatics
Style: Armenian
Location: United States

Obverse: Draped Bust of the King Facing Right, Wearing a Tiara Decorated with a Star and Eagles
Reverse: Tyche of Antioch Seated on a Rock, Holding a Branch, the River-God Orontes Below, Initials M and A on the Rocks Below

A descendant of a ruling dynasty founded in the early 2nd Century B.C. by Artaxias, Tigranes II the Great was born around 140 B.C., the son (or possibly the brother) of Artavasdes I. Much of his early history is unknown, except the fact that he was held as a hostage by the Parthian King Mithradates II. After purchasing his freedom by ceding a large portion of land bordering Media to the Parthians, Tigranes returned to his homeland and reassumed the throne. He quickly began to enlarge his territory by annexing the Kingdom of Sophene. Later, he married Cleopatra, the daughter of King Mithradates VI Eupator of Pontus, securing a political and military alliance between the two kingdoms. In 92 B.C., after the two kings were repelled from Cappadocia (in eastern Turkey) by the Romans, Tigranes turned his eyes towards Parthia. Following the death of King Mithradates II (around 87 B.C.), the strength of the Parthian Kingdom was greatly diminished. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Tigranes regained control of the land he had ceded to the Parthians. He also annexed the lands of northern Mesopotamia and the kings of several surrounding lands became his vassals, including modern Azerbaijan, Albania, and Georgia. Tigranes further extended his kingdom when, in 83 B.C., the Syrians grew weary of their Seleucid overlords and offered him their crown. Soon after, Tigranes adopted the title, “King of Kings” and founded a new capital, Tigranocerta. However, this golden age was not to last long, for the Roman forces were steadily creeping his way. In 72 B.C., Mithradates II of Pontus fled to Armenia after being defeated by Rome. By 69 B.C., the Roman forces had reached Armenia. In the following years, Tigranes suffered two successive defeats, first at Tigranocerta, then near the former capital of Artaxata. Finally, in 66 B.C., Tigranes surrendered to the Roman General Pompey, who offered him control of Armenia as a Roman client-king in exchange for Syria and other southern territories. Although he lost nearly all of his conquests, Tigranes continued to rule for another decade with the blessings of Rome until he finally passed away in 55 B.C. and was succeeded by his son Artavasdes II. - (C.4159)

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