Martin this
happened
in 387.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
, the son of Tigranes I.
, taken Pollio, succeeded in seizing upon the person of his
prisoner by M. Antonius. [ARTAVASDES I. ] uncle, whom he put to death with his wife and
ARTaxias II. , the son of Artavasdes I. , killed his children. Rhadamistus then ascended the
by his rebellious subjects. [ARTAXIAS II. ) throne; but Vologeses I. , the king of the Par-
TIGRANES II. , the son of Artavasdes I. , and thians, took advantage of the distracted state of
the brother of Artaxias 11. , established in Armenia the country to send his brother Tiridates into
by order of Augustus, by Tiberius Nero. [T1 Armenia, and proclaim him king. Tiridates ad-
GRANES II. )
ranced upon Tigranocerta, took this city and
ARTAVASDES II. , perhaps the son of Artaxias II. , Artaxata, and compelled Rhadamistus to fiy: Rha-
driven out by his subjects. [ARTAVASDES II. ) damistus was subsequently killed by his father
TIGRANES III. , the son of Tigranes II. , the Pharasmanes. (Tac. Ann. xii. 44--51, xiii. 6, 37. )
competitor of Artarasdes 11. , driven out by Caius Tikidates . . , the brother of Vologescs 1. , king
## p. 363 (#383) ############################################
ARSACIDAE.
363
ARSACIDAE.
of the Parthians, was driven out of Armenia by should have been seized by Caracalla, who suc-
Corbulo, who appointed in his place Tigranes IV. , ceeded his father Septimius Severus in 211. Nor
the grandson of king Archelaus, A. D. 60. [T:- do the Armenians mention any king of that name
Granes IV. ). Tiridates subsequently received the who was a contemporary either of Septimius
crown as a gift from Nero, A. D. 63. (ARSACES Severus or Caracalla. (Moses Choren. ii. 65–68. )
XXIII. , TIRIDATES 1. )
TIRIDATES 11. , the son of Vologeses. (TIRE
EXEDARES (Ardashes III. ), an Arsacid (of the Dates II. )
younger Armenian branch), was driven out by ARSACES II. , the brother of Artabanus IV. , the last
Chosroes or Khosrew, king of the Parthians. Arsacid in Parthia, by whom he was made king of
(Dion Cass. lxviii. 17. ) According to Moses Armenia in the first year of the reign of Alexander
Chorenensis (ii. 44-57), Exedares, who is called Severus. (1. D. 222—223. ) When his brother
Ardashes 111. , was a mighty prince, who humbled was killed by Artaxerxes (Ardashir), the first
the armies of Domitian, but was finally driven out Sassanid on the Persian throne, he resisted the
by Trajan. Chosroes placed on the ihrone in his usurper, and united his warriors with those of
stead Parthamasiris, a Parthian prince. Exedares Alexander Severus in the memorable war against
reigned during forty-two ycars, from A. D. 78 to Araxerxes. [SANSANIDAE. ] (Procop. đe dedicus
120, but was several times compelled to fly from Justin. iii. 1, Dion Cass. Ixxx. 3, 4 ; Herodian,
his kingdom.
vi. 2, &c. ; Agathias, pp. 65, 134, ed. Paris. )
PARTHAMASIRIS, the son of Pacorus (Arsaces ARTAVASDEs III. , the ally of Sapor against the
XXIV. ), king of Parthia, and the nephew of emperor Valerian, a. D. 260. (Trebell
. Poll. Va-
Chosroes, who supported him against Trajan. ieriun. 6. )
Parthamasiris, reduced to extremity, humbled him- Eusebius (Hist. Ecd. ix. 8) mentions a Christian
self before Trajan, and placed his royal diadem at king of Armenia during the reign of Diocletian,
the feet of the emperor, hoping that Trajan would who seems to bave been the son of Artavasdes 111.
restore it to him and recognize him as a subject During the war of Diocletian with Narses, king of
king. But he was deceived in his expectation, Persia, this king of Armenia joined the Roman
and Armenia was changed into a Roman province. army commanded by Galerius Caesar. After the
According to some accounts, he was put to death accession of Maximinianus he was involved in a
by Trajan. (Dion Cass. lxviii. 17-20; comp. war with this emperor, who intended to abolish
Eutrop. vii. 2; Fronto, Princip. Hist. p. 248, ed. the Christian religion in Armenia.
Niebuhr. )
TIRIDATES III. [Tiridates III. )
PARTHAMASPATES, was appointed by Trajan ARSACES III. (Tiranus), the son of Diran
king of Parthia, but after he had been expelled by (Tiridates III. ), ascended the throne either in the
the Parthians (ARSACES XXV. ); he seems to seventeenth year of the reign of Constantius, that
have subsequently received the kingdom of Armenia is, in A. D. 354, or perhaps as early as 341 or 342,
from Hadrian. (Comp. Spartan. Hudr. cc. 21, 5, after his father had been inade prisoner and de
where he is called Psamatossiris. )
prived of his sight by Sapor II. , king of Persia.
ACHAEMENIDES, the son of Parthamaspates. After the reconciliation of Sapor with his captive
There are some coins on which he is represented Diran (Tiridates), Arsaces was chosen king, since
with the diadem, which seems to have been given his father, on account of his blindness, was unable
to him by Antoninus Pius. (Iamblichus, ap. Phot. to reign according to the opinion of the eastern
Cod. 94. p. 75, b. , ed. Bekker. ).
nations, which opinion was also entertained by the
SOAEMUS or SOHEMUS (Lóalpos), the son of Greeks of the Lower Empire, whence we so often
Achaemenides, was established on the throne by find that when an emperor or usurper succeeded
Thucydides, the lieutenant of Lucius (Martius) in making his rival prisoner, he usually blinded
Verus, during the reign of M. Aurelius Antoninus. him, if he did not venture to put him to death.
(lamblich. ap. Phot. I. c. ) We learn from Moses The nomination of Arsaces was approved by the
Chorenensis (ii. 60—64), that the national king, emperor Constantius. The new king nevertheless
who was supported by Vologeses II. of Parthia, took the part of Sapor in his war with the Romans,
was Dikran or Tigranes. Soaemus was an Arsacid. but soon afterwards made peace with the latter.
(Lion Cass. Fragm. lxxi. p. 1201, ed. Reimar. ) He promised to pay an annual tribute, and Con-
SANATR UCES (Lavat poúros), the son of Soae- stantius allowed him to marry Olympias, the
mus, as it seems, was established on the throne by daughter of the praefect Ablavius, a near relation
Septimius Severus. According to Suidas, he was of the empress Constantia, and who had been be-
a man highly distinguished by his warlike quali- trothed to Constans, the brother of Constantius.
ties and many nobler virtues. He seems to be the Olympias was afterwards poisoned by a mistress
king of Armenia mentioned by Dion Cassius, who of Sapor, an Armenian princess of the name of
was treacherously seized upon by Caracalla, about P'harhandsem.
A. D. 212. The Armenian name of Sanatruces is To punish the defection of Arsaces, Sapor in-
Sanadrug. (Dion Cass. lxxv. 9, lxxvii. 12; Suidas, vaded Armenia and took Tigranocerta. He was
$. v. Lavatpoúkns ; comp. Herodian, ii. 9. ) thus involved in a war with the emperor Julian,
VOLOGESES, the son of Sanatruces, whom Dion the successor of Constantius, who opened his
Cassius (lxxvii. 12) calls king of the Parthians. [AR- famous campaign against the Persians (A. D. 363)
saces XXIX. ) Vaillant thinks that he was the king in concert with Arsaces, on whose active co-opera-
seized upon by Caracalla. On the other hand, the tion the success of the war in a great measure de-
Armenian historians tell us that Wagharsh, in pended. But Julian's sanguine expectations of
Greek Vologeses or Valarsases, the son of Dikran overthrowing the power of the Sassanidae was de-
(Tigranes), reigned over Armenia, or part of stroyed by the pusillanimity, or more probably
Armenia, from A. D. 178 to 198, and that he per-well calculated treachery, of Arsaces, who withdre iv
ished in a battle against the Khazars, near Der- his troops from the Roman camp near Ctesiphon in
bent, in 198. It is of course impossible that he the month of June, 363. Thence the disastrous
## p. 364 (#384) ############################################
864
ARSACIDAE.
ARSACIDAE.
a
.
retreat of the Romans and the death of Julian, I usurper, who was at first supported by the emperor
who died from a wound on the 26th of the same Theodosius the Great. The weakness of Arsices
month. Jovian, who was chosen emperor in the being manifesi, Theodosius and Sapor 111. formed
camp, saved the Roman army by a treaty in July, and carried into execution the plan of dividing
by which he renounced his sovereignty over the Annenia. Arsaces was allowed to reign as a
tributary kingdoms of Armenia and Iberin. vassal king of Constantinople in the western and
Arsaces, in the hope of receiving the reward of his smaller part of Armenia, while the larger and
trenchery, ventured into the camp of Sapor. He eastern part becaine the share of Sapor, who
gave
was at first received with honour, but in the it to Chosroes or Khosrew, a noble belonging to
midst of an entertainment was seized by order of the house of the Arsacidae, of which there were
Sapor and confined in the tower of Oblivion at still some branches living in Persia. According to
Ecbatana, where he was loaded with silver chains. St.
Martin this happened in 387. Procopius
He died there by the hand of a faithful servant, mentions one Tigranes, brother of Arsaces, who
whom he implored to release him with his sword reigned over eastern Armenia, which he ceded to
from the humiliation of his cptivity. Arsaces Sapor. The whole history of the division of Ar-
reigned tyrannically, and had a strong party menia is very obscure, and the chief sources, Pro-
against him, especially among the nobles. (Amm. copius and Moscs Chorenensis are in manifest con-
Marc. xx. 11, xxi. 6, xxii. 2, 3, xxv. 7, xxvii. tradiction. Arsaces IV. died in 389, and his
12 ; Procop. de Bell. Pers. i. 5. )
dominions were conferred by the emperor upon his
Para, the son of Arsaces III. and Olympias. general, Casavon, who was descended from the
(Tillemont, Histoire des Empereurs. ) No sooner family of the Gamsıragans, which was a branch
had Sapor seized Arsaces, than he put one Aspa- of the Arsacidae. It seems that this general was
cures on the throne of Armenia. Para, the heir a most able diplomatist, and that his nomination
and successor of Arsaces, was reduced to the pos- was a plot concerted between him and Theodosius
session of one fortress, Artogerassi (perhaps Arta- to bring all Armenia under the imperial authority;
gera, or Ardis, towards the sources of the Tigris, Casavon declared himself a vassal of Chosroes, and
above Diyarbekr or Amida), where he was be this vassal suddenly broke his allegiance towards
sieged with his mother Olympias by the superior | Sapor, and submitted to Theodosius. On this
forces of Sapor. The fortress surrendered after a Bahram IV. , the successor of Sapor, inraded Ar-
gallant defence, Olympias fell into the hands of menia, seized Chosroes and put Bahram Shapur
the conqueror, but Para escaped to Neocaesareia, (Sapor) the brother of Chosroes, on the vassal
and implored the aid of the emperor Valens. The throne of (eastem) Armenia. (392. ) In 414,
emperor ordered him to be well treated, and pro- Chosroes was re-established by Yezdegerd I. , the
mised to assist hiin. Terentius, a Roman general, successor of Bahram IV. , and after the death of
led the fugitive king back into Armenia with a Chosroes, in 415, Yezdegerd's son, Shapur or Sa-
sufficient force, and Para was acknowledged as por, became king. Sapor died in 419, and till
king; and though attacked by Sapor, be continued 422 there was an interregnum in Armenia till Ar
to reign with the assistance of the Romans. Para dashes (Artasires) ascended the throne. (Proco-
was a tyrant. Misled by the intrignes of Sapor, pius, de Aedif. Justin. iii. 1. 5; De Bell. Pers. ü.
be killed Cylaces and Artabanus, two of his chief | 3; Moses Choren. ii. 40, &c. , 49, &c. )
ministers. As Valens was dissatisfied with the ARTASIRES, the last Arsacid on the throne of
conduct of the Armenian king, Terentius persuaded Armenia, the son of Bahram Shapur, and the
him to go to Cilicia, pretending that the emperor nephew of Chosroes. Moses Chorenensis tells us,
wished to have an interview with him. When that his real name was Ardasbes. (Artases or
Para arrived at Tarsus, he was treated with due Artaxes. ) He was made king of Armenia in 422,
respect, but so closely watched as to be little better by Bahram IV. , who ordered or requested him to
than a prisoner. He escaped with a body of light adopt the name of Ardashir (Artasires or Artax-
cavairy, and swimming across the Euphrates, ar- erxes). As Artasires was addicted to vices of
rived safely in Armenia in spite of an ardent pur- every description, the people, or rather the nobles
suit. He continued to show himself a friend of of Armenia, wished for another king. Since the
the Romans, but Valens distrusted him and reconversion of prince Gregory (afterwards St. Gre-
solved upon his death. Trajanus, a Roman dux, gory), the son of Anag, the Arsacid, to the Chris-
or general, executed the emperor's secret order. tian religion, in the time of Constantine the Great,
He invited Para to a banquet, and when the guests the Armenians had gradually adopted the Chris-
were half intoxicated, a band of Roman soldiers tian religion; and there was a law that the patri-
rushed in, and Para and his attendents were slain arch should always be a member of the royal
after a brave resistance, A. D. 374 or 377. The family of the Arsacidae. During the reign of Ar-
Armenian name of Para is Bab. (Amm. Marc. tasires the office of patriarch was held by Isaac,
xxvi. 12. xxx. 1. )
to whom the nobles applied when they wished to
ARSACES IV. (V. of Vaillant), the son of Para choose another king; but Isaac aware that their
or Bab. According to Vaillant, he was the ne- choice would fall upon Bahram, the heathen king
phew of Para, being the son of one Arsaces (IV. of Persia, refused to assist them. The nobles
of Vaillant), who was the brother of Para; this thereupon applied straightway to Bahram, who in-
opinion has been adopted by distinguished histo- vaded Armenia, deposed Artasires, and united his
rians,
but it seems untenable. Arsaces IV. reigned dominions to Persia, A. D. 428. From this time
a short time together with his brother Valarsaces eastern Armenia was called Persarmenia. (Pro-
or Wagharshag, who died soon. In a war against cop. De Aedif. Justin. iii. 1, 5; Moses Choren.
an usurper, Waraztad, the son of Anob, who was ni. 63, &c. ; Assemani, Bibliotheca Orientalis, vol.
the brother of Arsaces III. , Arsaces IV. showed i. pars i. p. 396, &c. )
i
such a want of character and energy that he owed The following chronological table, which differs in
his success merely to the bad conduct of the some points from the preceding narrative, is takea
## p. 365 (#385) ############################################
ARSACIDAE.
365
ARSENIUS.
son
from St. Martin, and is founded upon the Armenian (Sapor), the brother of Chosroes III. -A. D. 414.
histories of Moses Chorenensis and Faustus Byzan- Chosroes re-established by Yezdegerd. — A. D. 415.
tinus, compared with the Greek and Roman authors. Shapur or Sapor, the son of Y czdegerd— A. D. 419.
A. The first or clder Branch in Armenia Magna. Interregnum. — 1. D. 422. Ardashes or Ardashir
B. c. 149. Valarrices or Wagharshag I. , founder of (Artasires) IV:-
:- A. D. 428. End of the kingdom
the Amienian dynasty of the Arsacidae, established of Armenia. (Comp. Vaillant, Regnum Arsacularum,
on the throne of Armenia by his brother, Mithri- especially Elenchus Reyum Armeniuc Majoris, in the
dates Arsaces (Arsaces VI. ) king of the Parthians. Ist. vol. ; Du Four de Longuerue, Annales Arsaci-
-B. c. 127. Arsaces or Arshag I. , his son. —B. c. 114. darum, Strasb. 1732; Richter, I listor. Krit. Versuch
Artaces, Artaxes, or Ardashes I. , his son. -B. C. über die Arsaciden und Sassuniden-Dynastien, Göt-
89. Tigranes or Dikran I. (11. ), his son. -B. C. 36. tingen, 1804 ; St. Martin, Mémoires historiques et
Artavasdes or Artawazt I. , his son. -B. C. 30. Ar-géograph. sur l'Arménie, vol. i. ) (W. P. )
taxes II. , his son. -B. C. 20. Tigranes 11. , brother ÅRSA'MENES ( 'Apoamérns ), the of
of Artaxes II. -B. C. Tigranes III. -B. c. 6. Dareius, the commander of the Utii and Myci in
Artavasdes 11. -B. C. 5. Tigranes III. re-esta- the army of Xerxes. (Herod. vii. 68. )
blished. -B. c. 2. Erato, queen.
ARSAMES ('Apoáuns). 1. The father of
A. D. 2. Ariobarzanes, a Parthian prince, esta- Hystaspes and grandfather of Dareius. (Herod.
blished by the Romans. --.
prisoner by M. Antonius. [ARTAVASDES I. ] uncle, whom he put to death with his wife and
ARTaxias II. , the son of Artavasdes I. , killed his children. Rhadamistus then ascended the
by his rebellious subjects. [ARTAXIAS II. ) throne; but Vologeses I. , the king of the Par-
TIGRANES II. , the son of Artavasdes I. , and thians, took advantage of the distracted state of
the brother of Artaxias 11. , established in Armenia the country to send his brother Tiridates into
by order of Augustus, by Tiberius Nero. [T1 Armenia, and proclaim him king. Tiridates ad-
GRANES II. )
ranced upon Tigranocerta, took this city and
ARTAVASDES II. , perhaps the son of Artaxias II. , Artaxata, and compelled Rhadamistus to fiy: Rha-
driven out by his subjects. [ARTAVASDES II. ) damistus was subsequently killed by his father
TIGRANES III. , the son of Tigranes II. , the Pharasmanes. (Tac. Ann. xii. 44--51, xiii. 6, 37. )
competitor of Artarasdes 11. , driven out by Caius Tikidates . . , the brother of Vologescs 1. , king
## p. 363 (#383) ############################################
ARSACIDAE.
363
ARSACIDAE.
of the Parthians, was driven out of Armenia by should have been seized by Caracalla, who suc-
Corbulo, who appointed in his place Tigranes IV. , ceeded his father Septimius Severus in 211. Nor
the grandson of king Archelaus, A. D. 60. [T:- do the Armenians mention any king of that name
Granes IV. ). Tiridates subsequently received the who was a contemporary either of Septimius
crown as a gift from Nero, A. D. 63. (ARSACES Severus or Caracalla. (Moses Choren. ii. 65–68. )
XXIII. , TIRIDATES 1. )
TIRIDATES 11. , the son of Vologeses. (TIRE
EXEDARES (Ardashes III. ), an Arsacid (of the Dates II. )
younger Armenian branch), was driven out by ARSACES II. , the brother of Artabanus IV. , the last
Chosroes or Khosrew, king of the Parthians. Arsacid in Parthia, by whom he was made king of
(Dion Cass. lxviii. 17. ) According to Moses Armenia in the first year of the reign of Alexander
Chorenensis (ii. 44-57), Exedares, who is called Severus. (1. D. 222—223. ) When his brother
Ardashes 111. , was a mighty prince, who humbled was killed by Artaxerxes (Ardashir), the first
the armies of Domitian, but was finally driven out Sassanid on the Persian throne, he resisted the
by Trajan. Chosroes placed on the ihrone in his usurper, and united his warriors with those of
stead Parthamasiris, a Parthian prince. Exedares Alexander Severus in the memorable war against
reigned during forty-two ycars, from A. D. 78 to Araxerxes. [SANSANIDAE. ] (Procop. đe dedicus
120, but was several times compelled to fly from Justin. iii. 1, Dion Cass. Ixxx. 3, 4 ; Herodian,
his kingdom.
vi. 2, &c. ; Agathias, pp. 65, 134, ed. Paris. )
PARTHAMASIRIS, the son of Pacorus (Arsaces ARTAVASDEs III. , the ally of Sapor against the
XXIV. ), king of Parthia, and the nephew of emperor Valerian, a. D. 260. (Trebell
. Poll. Va-
Chosroes, who supported him against Trajan. ieriun. 6. )
Parthamasiris, reduced to extremity, humbled him- Eusebius (Hist. Ecd. ix. 8) mentions a Christian
self before Trajan, and placed his royal diadem at king of Armenia during the reign of Diocletian,
the feet of the emperor, hoping that Trajan would who seems to bave been the son of Artavasdes 111.
restore it to him and recognize him as a subject During the war of Diocletian with Narses, king of
king. But he was deceived in his expectation, Persia, this king of Armenia joined the Roman
and Armenia was changed into a Roman province. army commanded by Galerius Caesar. After the
According to some accounts, he was put to death accession of Maximinianus he was involved in a
by Trajan. (Dion Cass. lxviii. 17-20; comp. war with this emperor, who intended to abolish
Eutrop. vii. 2; Fronto, Princip. Hist. p. 248, ed. the Christian religion in Armenia.
Niebuhr. )
TIRIDATES III. [Tiridates III. )
PARTHAMASPATES, was appointed by Trajan ARSACES III. (Tiranus), the son of Diran
king of Parthia, but after he had been expelled by (Tiridates III. ), ascended the throne either in the
the Parthians (ARSACES XXV. ); he seems to seventeenth year of the reign of Constantius, that
have subsequently received the kingdom of Armenia is, in A. D. 354, or perhaps as early as 341 or 342,
from Hadrian. (Comp. Spartan. Hudr. cc. 21, 5, after his father had been inade prisoner and de
where he is called Psamatossiris. )
prived of his sight by Sapor II. , king of Persia.
ACHAEMENIDES, the son of Parthamaspates. After the reconciliation of Sapor with his captive
There are some coins on which he is represented Diran (Tiridates), Arsaces was chosen king, since
with the diadem, which seems to have been given his father, on account of his blindness, was unable
to him by Antoninus Pius. (Iamblichus, ap. Phot. to reign according to the opinion of the eastern
Cod. 94. p. 75, b. , ed. Bekker. ).
nations, which opinion was also entertained by the
SOAEMUS or SOHEMUS (Lóalpos), the son of Greeks of the Lower Empire, whence we so often
Achaemenides, was established on the throne by find that when an emperor or usurper succeeded
Thucydides, the lieutenant of Lucius (Martius) in making his rival prisoner, he usually blinded
Verus, during the reign of M. Aurelius Antoninus. him, if he did not venture to put him to death.
(lamblich. ap. Phot. I. c. ) We learn from Moses The nomination of Arsaces was approved by the
Chorenensis (ii. 60—64), that the national king, emperor Constantius. The new king nevertheless
who was supported by Vologeses II. of Parthia, took the part of Sapor in his war with the Romans,
was Dikran or Tigranes. Soaemus was an Arsacid. but soon afterwards made peace with the latter.
(Lion Cass. Fragm. lxxi. p. 1201, ed. Reimar. ) He promised to pay an annual tribute, and Con-
SANATR UCES (Lavat poúros), the son of Soae- stantius allowed him to marry Olympias, the
mus, as it seems, was established on the throne by daughter of the praefect Ablavius, a near relation
Septimius Severus. According to Suidas, he was of the empress Constantia, and who had been be-
a man highly distinguished by his warlike quali- trothed to Constans, the brother of Constantius.
ties and many nobler virtues. He seems to be the Olympias was afterwards poisoned by a mistress
king of Armenia mentioned by Dion Cassius, who of Sapor, an Armenian princess of the name of
was treacherously seized upon by Caracalla, about P'harhandsem.
A. D. 212. The Armenian name of Sanatruces is To punish the defection of Arsaces, Sapor in-
Sanadrug. (Dion Cass. lxxv. 9, lxxvii. 12; Suidas, vaded Armenia and took Tigranocerta. He was
$. v. Lavatpoúkns ; comp. Herodian, ii. 9. ) thus involved in a war with the emperor Julian,
VOLOGESES, the son of Sanatruces, whom Dion the successor of Constantius, who opened his
Cassius (lxxvii. 12) calls king of the Parthians. [AR- famous campaign against the Persians (A. D. 363)
saces XXIX. ) Vaillant thinks that he was the king in concert with Arsaces, on whose active co-opera-
seized upon by Caracalla. On the other hand, the tion the success of the war in a great measure de-
Armenian historians tell us that Wagharsh, in pended. But Julian's sanguine expectations of
Greek Vologeses or Valarsases, the son of Dikran overthrowing the power of the Sassanidae was de-
(Tigranes), reigned over Armenia, or part of stroyed by the pusillanimity, or more probably
Armenia, from A. D. 178 to 198, and that he per-well calculated treachery, of Arsaces, who withdre iv
ished in a battle against the Khazars, near Der- his troops from the Roman camp near Ctesiphon in
bent, in 198. It is of course impossible that he the month of June, 363. Thence the disastrous
## p. 364 (#384) ############################################
864
ARSACIDAE.
ARSACIDAE.
a
.
retreat of the Romans and the death of Julian, I usurper, who was at first supported by the emperor
who died from a wound on the 26th of the same Theodosius the Great. The weakness of Arsices
month. Jovian, who was chosen emperor in the being manifesi, Theodosius and Sapor 111. formed
camp, saved the Roman army by a treaty in July, and carried into execution the plan of dividing
by which he renounced his sovereignty over the Annenia. Arsaces was allowed to reign as a
tributary kingdoms of Armenia and Iberin. vassal king of Constantinople in the western and
Arsaces, in the hope of receiving the reward of his smaller part of Armenia, while the larger and
trenchery, ventured into the camp of Sapor. He eastern part becaine the share of Sapor, who
gave
was at first received with honour, but in the it to Chosroes or Khosrew, a noble belonging to
midst of an entertainment was seized by order of the house of the Arsacidae, of which there were
Sapor and confined in the tower of Oblivion at still some branches living in Persia. According to
Ecbatana, where he was loaded with silver chains. St.
Martin this happened in 387. Procopius
He died there by the hand of a faithful servant, mentions one Tigranes, brother of Arsaces, who
whom he implored to release him with his sword reigned over eastern Armenia, which he ceded to
from the humiliation of his cptivity. Arsaces Sapor. The whole history of the division of Ar-
reigned tyrannically, and had a strong party menia is very obscure, and the chief sources, Pro-
against him, especially among the nobles. (Amm. copius and Moscs Chorenensis are in manifest con-
Marc. xx. 11, xxi. 6, xxii. 2, 3, xxv. 7, xxvii. tradiction. Arsaces IV. died in 389, and his
12 ; Procop. de Bell. Pers. i. 5. )
dominions were conferred by the emperor upon his
Para, the son of Arsaces III. and Olympias. general, Casavon, who was descended from the
(Tillemont, Histoire des Empereurs. ) No sooner family of the Gamsıragans, which was a branch
had Sapor seized Arsaces, than he put one Aspa- of the Arsacidae. It seems that this general was
cures on the throne of Armenia. Para, the heir a most able diplomatist, and that his nomination
and successor of Arsaces, was reduced to the pos- was a plot concerted between him and Theodosius
session of one fortress, Artogerassi (perhaps Arta- to bring all Armenia under the imperial authority;
gera, or Ardis, towards the sources of the Tigris, Casavon declared himself a vassal of Chosroes, and
above Diyarbekr or Amida), where he was be this vassal suddenly broke his allegiance towards
sieged with his mother Olympias by the superior | Sapor, and submitted to Theodosius. On this
forces of Sapor. The fortress surrendered after a Bahram IV. , the successor of Sapor, inraded Ar-
gallant defence, Olympias fell into the hands of menia, seized Chosroes and put Bahram Shapur
the conqueror, but Para escaped to Neocaesareia, (Sapor) the brother of Chosroes, on the vassal
and implored the aid of the emperor Valens. The throne of (eastem) Armenia. (392. ) In 414,
emperor ordered him to be well treated, and pro- Chosroes was re-established by Yezdegerd I. , the
mised to assist hiin. Terentius, a Roman general, successor of Bahram IV. , and after the death of
led the fugitive king back into Armenia with a Chosroes, in 415, Yezdegerd's son, Shapur or Sa-
sufficient force, and Para was acknowledged as por, became king. Sapor died in 419, and till
king; and though attacked by Sapor, be continued 422 there was an interregnum in Armenia till Ar
to reign with the assistance of the Romans. Para dashes (Artasires) ascended the throne. (Proco-
was a tyrant. Misled by the intrignes of Sapor, pius, de Aedif. Justin. iii. 1. 5; De Bell. Pers. ü.
be killed Cylaces and Artabanus, two of his chief | 3; Moses Choren. ii. 40, &c. , 49, &c. )
ministers. As Valens was dissatisfied with the ARTASIRES, the last Arsacid on the throne of
conduct of the Armenian king, Terentius persuaded Armenia, the son of Bahram Shapur, and the
him to go to Cilicia, pretending that the emperor nephew of Chosroes. Moses Chorenensis tells us,
wished to have an interview with him. When that his real name was Ardasbes. (Artases or
Para arrived at Tarsus, he was treated with due Artaxes. ) He was made king of Armenia in 422,
respect, but so closely watched as to be little better by Bahram IV. , who ordered or requested him to
than a prisoner. He escaped with a body of light adopt the name of Ardashir (Artasires or Artax-
cavairy, and swimming across the Euphrates, ar- erxes). As Artasires was addicted to vices of
rived safely in Armenia in spite of an ardent pur- every description, the people, or rather the nobles
suit. He continued to show himself a friend of of Armenia, wished for another king. Since the
the Romans, but Valens distrusted him and reconversion of prince Gregory (afterwards St. Gre-
solved upon his death. Trajanus, a Roman dux, gory), the son of Anag, the Arsacid, to the Chris-
or general, executed the emperor's secret order. tian religion, in the time of Constantine the Great,
He invited Para to a banquet, and when the guests the Armenians had gradually adopted the Chris-
were half intoxicated, a band of Roman soldiers tian religion; and there was a law that the patri-
rushed in, and Para and his attendents were slain arch should always be a member of the royal
after a brave resistance, A. D. 374 or 377. The family of the Arsacidae. During the reign of Ar-
Armenian name of Para is Bab. (Amm. Marc. tasires the office of patriarch was held by Isaac,
xxvi. 12. xxx. 1. )
to whom the nobles applied when they wished to
ARSACES IV. (V. of Vaillant), the son of Para choose another king; but Isaac aware that their
or Bab. According to Vaillant, he was the ne- choice would fall upon Bahram, the heathen king
phew of Para, being the son of one Arsaces (IV. of Persia, refused to assist them. The nobles
of Vaillant), who was the brother of Para; this thereupon applied straightway to Bahram, who in-
opinion has been adopted by distinguished histo- vaded Armenia, deposed Artasires, and united his
rians,
but it seems untenable. Arsaces IV. reigned dominions to Persia, A. D. 428. From this time
a short time together with his brother Valarsaces eastern Armenia was called Persarmenia. (Pro-
or Wagharshag, who died soon. In a war against cop. De Aedif. Justin. iii. 1, 5; Moses Choren.
an usurper, Waraztad, the son of Anob, who was ni. 63, &c. ; Assemani, Bibliotheca Orientalis, vol.
the brother of Arsaces III. , Arsaces IV. showed i. pars i. p. 396, &c. )
i
such a want of character and energy that he owed The following chronological table, which differs in
his success merely to the bad conduct of the some points from the preceding narrative, is takea
## p. 365 (#385) ############################################
ARSACIDAE.
365
ARSENIUS.
son
from St. Martin, and is founded upon the Armenian (Sapor), the brother of Chosroes III. -A. D. 414.
histories of Moses Chorenensis and Faustus Byzan- Chosroes re-established by Yezdegerd. — A. D. 415.
tinus, compared with the Greek and Roman authors. Shapur or Sapor, the son of Y czdegerd— A. D. 419.
A. The first or clder Branch in Armenia Magna. Interregnum. — 1. D. 422. Ardashes or Ardashir
B. c. 149. Valarrices or Wagharshag I. , founder of (Artasires) IV:-
:- A. D. 428. End of the kingdom
the Amienian dynasty of the Arsacidae, established of Armenia. (Comp. Vaillant, Regnum Arsacularum,
on the throne of Armenia by his brother, Mithri- especially Elenchus Reyum Armeniuc Majoris, in the
dates Arsaces (Arsaces VI. ) king of the Parthians. Ist. vol. ; Du Four de Longuerue, Annales Arsaci-
-B. c. 127. Arsaces or Arshag I. , his son. —B. c. 114. darum, Strasb. 1732; Richter, I listor. Krit. Versuch
Artaces, Artaxes, or Ardashes I. , his son. -B. C. über die Arsaciden und Sassuniden-Dynastien, Göt-
89. Tigranes or Dikran I. (11. ), his son. -B. C. 36. tingen, 1804 ; St. Martin, Mémoires historiques et
Artavasdes or Artawazt I. , his son. -B. C. 30. Ar-géograph. sur l'Arménie, vol. i. ) (W. P. )
taxes II. , his son. -B. C. 20. Tigranes 11. , brother ÅRSA'MENES ( 'Apoamérns ), the of
of Artaxes II. -B. C. Tigranes III. -B. c. 6. Dareius, the commander of the Utii and Myci in
Artavasdes 11. -B. C. 5. Tigranes III. re-esta- the army of Xerxes. (Herod. vii. 68. )
blished. -B. c. 2. Erato, queen.
ARSAMES ('Apoáuns). 1. The father of
A. D. 2. Ariobarzanes, a Parthian prince, esta- Hystaspes and grandfather of Dareius. (Herod.
blished by the Romans. --.
