Deiotarus 63/2-47 BC
Description
Deiotarus was a Celtic dynast of Galatia who, as an ally of Pompey the Great, received territories in Asia Minor – including Armenia Minor – as a reward. After Pompey’s victory over Mithridates VI in 66 BC, he reorganized the region. In 63/62 BC, Pompey conferred upon Deiotarus the title of King and granted him rule over various peoples, notably part of Pontus and the small kingdom of Armenia Minor. This Armenia Minor roughly corresponded to the old Sophene or the highlands west of the upper Euphrates. Deiotarus thus became a buffer monarch, friendly to Rome, guarding the approaches to Armenia Major.
During his reign in Armenia Minor, Deiotarus focused on consolidating these new lands with his Galatian power base. He likely stationed garrisons and encouraged settlement of loyal Galatians to secure control. For the local Armenian populace, Deiotarus represented a foreign overlord – a king of Celtic origin enforcing Roman interests. Nevertheless, he governed pragmatically. Classical sources depict Deiotarus as an astute, if ruthless, ruler who maintained order and even embellished cities (he founded a city called “Dio-caesarea” in his domains). His rule brought stability after the chaos of the Mithridatic Wars, which may have been welcomed by inhabitants weary of conflict.
Deiotarus’s fortunes turned with the Roman civil wars. He sided with Pompey against Julius Caesar. After Pompey’s defeat at Pharsalus (48 BC), Deiotarus hastened to make peace with Caesar, but Caesar stripped him of some territories. In 47 BC, when Caesar came to Asia Minor, Deiotarus was accused by local rivals (including his own kin) of plotting to murder Caesar. Cicero famously defended Deiotarus in Rome, but the outcome was inconclusive. Around this time (47 BC), Deiotarus likely lost Armenia Minor – either as a punitive measure by Caesar or due to local revolt exploiting his weakened position. By 47 BC, Armenia Minor appears to have been removed from his grasp and perhaps annexed to Cappadocia or set aside for another client (it temporarily fell under Mark Antony’s sway later).
During his reign in Armenia Minor, Deiotarus focused on consolidating these new lands with his Galatian power base. He likely stationed garrisons and encouraged settlement of loyal Galatians to secure control. For the local Armenian populace, Deiotarus represented a foreign overlord – a king of Celtic origin enforcing Roman interests. Nevertheless, he governed pragmatically. Classical sources depict Deiotarus as an astute, if ruthless, ruler who maintained order and even embellished cities (he founded a city called “Dio-caesarea” in his domains). His rule brought stability after the chaos of the Mithridatic Wars, which may have been welcomed by inhabitants weary of conflict.
Deiotarus’s fortunes turned with the Roman civil wars. He sided with Pompey against Julius Caesar. After Pompey’s defeat at Pharsalus (48 BC), Deiotarus hastened to make peace with Caesar, but Caesar stripped him of some territories. In 47 BC, when Caesar came to Asia Minor, Deiotarus was accused by local rivals (including his own kin) of plotting to murder Caesar. Cicero famously defended Deiotarus in Rome, but the outcome was inconclusive. Around this time (47 BC), Deiotarus likely lost Armenia Minor – either as a punitive measure by Caesar or due to local revolt exploiting his weakened position. By 47 BC, Armenia Minor appears to have been removed from his grasp and perhaps annexed to Cappadocia or set aside for another client (it temporarily fell under Mark Antony’s sway later).
Collection Tree
- ANCIENT
- Armenia Minor
- Deiotarus 63/2-47 BC
- Armenia Minor