Parthamasiris of Armenia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Parthamasiris of Armenia | |
|---|---|
 Parthamasiris, King of Armenia, Son of Pacorus, Humbles Himself before Trajan | |
| King of Armenia | |
| Reign | 113–114 AD |
| Predecessor | Axidares |
| Successor | Vologases I of Armenia |
| Died | 114 |
| House | Arsacid |
| Father | Pacorus II |
Parthamasiris, also known as Partamasir or Parthomasiris[1] (flourished second half of the 1st century and first half of the 2nd century, died 114) was a Parthian prince who served as a Roman client king of Armenia.
| Arsacid dynasty of Armenia |
|---|
 |
| Pagan Kings |
| Tiridates I • Sanatruk • Axidares • Partamasir • Vologases I • Sohaemus • Bakur I • Vologases V • Khosrov I • Trdat II • Artavazd IV • Khosrov II |
| Christian Kings |
| Tiridates III • Khosrov III • Tiran II • Arshak II • Pap • Varazdat • Arshak III • Khosrov IV • Vramshapuh • Artaxias IV |
| Military commanders |
| Vache • Artavazd A • Vahan • Mushegh I • Manuel • Vahan A • Hmayak • Vardan |
Parthamasiris was one of the three sons born to King Pacorus II of Parthia[2] by a mother whose name is unknown. Through his father he was a member of the House of Parthia thus a relation of the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia.[3] Little is known of his life prior to becoming Armenian king.
Reign
In 113, Parthamasiris’ paternal uncle Osroes I of Parthia deposed his brother Axidares from the Armenian kingship and installed him as king to avoid to going to war with the Roman emperor Trajan and keep peace with him.[4][5] Axidares was placed on the Armenian throne[6] by his paternal uncle without Roman consultation[5] which led to Trajan to view the action by Osroes I as an invitation to war with Parthia.[7]
In 114, the Roman army invaded Armenia from Satala and advanced toward Artaxata. Unable to organize an effective resistance, Parthamasiris appeared before Trajan. In a symbolic gesture, Parthamasiris removed his crown and placed it at the Emperor's feet,[8][9] expecting to have it restored to him.[10] After rejecting Parthamasiris’ request, Trajan annexed Armenia as a Roman province.[10][11][12]
Trajan sent Parthamasiris from Armenia back home to Parthia and continued on with his Parthian military campaign.[10] On his way home to Parthia, Parthamasiris disappeared;[10] historians have asserted that Trajan had ordered Parthamasiris's murder.[13][14]