History of Armenia

Armenian Kingdom

After the destruction of the Seleucid Empire, the first Armenian state was founded in 190 BC. At its zenith, from 95 to 66 BC, Armenia extended its rule over parts of Caucasus and the area that is now eastern Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. For a time, Armenia was one of the most powerful states in the Roman East. It came under Roman control in 66 BC, and the Armenian people adopted a Western political, philosophical, and religious orientation.

Related Topics:
Seleucid Empire - 190 BC - 95 - 66 BC - Turkey - Syria - Lebanon - Roman - Armenian people

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Armenia was often a focus of contention between Rome and Persia.

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The Parthians forced Armenia into submission from 37 to 47, when the Romans retook control of the kingdom.

Related Topics:
Parthians - 37 - 47

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Under Nero, the Romans fought a campaign (55–63) against the Parthian Empire, which had invaded the kingdom of Armenia, allied to the Romans. After gaining (60) and losing (62) Armenia, the Romans sent XV Apollinaris from Pannonia to Cn. Domitius Corbulo, legatus of Syria. Corbulo, with the legions XV Apollinaris, III Gallica, V Macedonica, X Fretensis and XXII, entered (63) into the territories of Vologases I of Parthia, who returned the Armenian kingdom to Tiridates.

Related Topics:
Nero - 55 - 63 - Parthian Empire - 60 - 62 - XV ''Apollinaris'' - Pannonia - Cn. Domitius Corbulo - Syria - III ''Gallica'' - V ''Macedonica'' - X ''Fretensis'' - XXII - Vologases I of Parthia - Tiridates

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Another campaign was led by Emperor Lucius Verus in 162-165, after Vologases IV of Parthis had invaded Armenia and installed his chief general on its throne. To counter the Parthian threat, Verus set out for the east. His army won significant victories and retook the capital. Sohaemus, a Roman citizen of Armenian heritage, was installed as the new client king.

Related Topics:
Lucius Verus - 162 - 165 - Vologases IV of Parthis

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The Sassanid Persians occupied Armenia in 252 and held it until the Romans returned in 287. In 384 the kingdom was split between Rome and the Persians. Western Armenia quickly became a province of the Roman Empire under the name of Armenia Minor; Eastern Armenia remained a kingdom within Persia until 428, when the local nobility overthrew the king, and the Sassanids installed a governor in his place.

Related Topics:
Sassanid - 252 - 287 - 384 - Roman Empire - Armenia Minor - 428

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