Mark Antony 43-33 BC

In the decades after Pompey, Armenia became a pivotal prize in Roman-Parthian rivalry. In 53 BC the Roman triumvir Crassus marched against Parthia without utilizing Armenian aid – Artavasdes II of Armenia had offered 40,000 troops if Crassus advanced via Armenia’s safer highlands, but Crassus arrogantly refused and took a direct desert route. His devastating defeat at Carrhae forced Armenia to switch allegiance to Parthia; Artavasdes sealed this by marrying his sister to the Parthian crown prince Pacorus.

Rome’s eastern ambitions resumed under Mark Antony, who as ruler of the East sought to punish Parthia and reclaim dominance. In 36 BC Antony invaded Media and Parthia with Armenian support, but the campaign faltered – Artavasdes II withdrew his troops at a critical moment, fearing the Romans would lose. Antony, though angered by this perceived treachery, initially maintained a facade of friendship due to his weakened army.

In 34 BC he took revenge: under pretense of a marriage alliance, Antony lured Artavasdes to a meeting, seized him, and occupied the Armenian capital Artaxata. Artavasdes and his family were sent in chains to Alexandria, where Antony’s partner Cleopatra triumphed over them. As part of the lavish “Donations of Alexandria,” Antony declared his young son by Cleopatra, Alexander Helios, king of Armenia, Media, and Parthia – a grandiose title since Parthia was unconquered. This maneuver aimed to solidify an eastern dynastic realm loyal to Antony.

Armenian nobles, however, rejected foreign rule and crowned Artaxias II (Artavasdes’ son) in rebellion. Antony departed Armenia to face Octavian, taking Artavasdes along; after Antony’s defeat at Actium in 31 BC, the captive Armenian king was executed by Cleopatra. Thus, by 30 BC Armenia had been left in chaos: Antony’s designated boy-king Alexander Helios never governed, and the region was poised for Augustus to step in.