Tiridates II 217-252 AD
Description
Tiridates II, a distant Arsacid royal, ruled Armenia during the turbulent early 3rd century – a time of seismic shifts as the Parthian Empire fell to the Sassanian Persians. He came to power in 217 AD immediately after the assassination of the Roman emperor Caracalla. Caracalla had been at war with Parthia and reportedly also skirmishing in Armenia; upon his death, Rome’s new emperor Macrinus sought peace. Macrinus acknowledged Tiridates II as king, sending him a diadem and rich gifts. For the first time in decades, an Armenian ruler’s authority was recognized by both Rome and what remained of Parthia simultaneously. Tiridates’ father Chosroes, had been a previous king or prince, so Tiridates II inherited claims on Armenian and adjacent territories.
In his early reign, Tiridates II had to contend with the ascendant Persian king Ardashir I, founder of the Sassanid dynasty. As Ardashir conquered Parthia (ending the Arsacid Parthian Empire by 224 AD), he turned to subjugate Armenia and other border kingdoms. Tiridates fiercely resisted. Cassius Dio records that Ardashir’s first Armenian campaign met with stout defense: Armenian forces, joined by some remaining Parthian loyalists (including sons of the last Parthian king Artabanus), ambushed Ardashir, forcing him to retreat. This victory was a bright spot – Armenia under Tiridates stood as a last bastion of the Arsacid legacy and a buffer protecting Rome’s eastern flank.
The fight, however, was far from over. Throughout the 230s and 240s, Ardashir and then his son Shapur I launched repeated attacks. Tiridates II, aging but resolute, held out for many years, often resorting to guerrilla tactics in the mountains and rallying Armenian highland fortresses for defense. He received intermittent Roman support (Emperor Alexander Severus in the 230s had an alliance with him), which helped stem the Persian tide. Nevertheless, by the late 240s, Shapur I’s might grew overwhelming. According to later Roman epitomes (and the Byzantine chronicler Zonaras), in the early 250s Armenia finally succumbed: Shapur’s forces overran the country, Tiridates II was forced to flee, and his children were captured or defected to Persia. In 252 AD, Tiridates II disappears from record – likely dying in exile or killed during the collapse.
In his early reign, Tiridates II had to contend with the ascendant Persian king Ardashir I, founder of the Sassanid dynasty. As Ardashir conquered Parthia (ending the Arsacid Parthian Empire by 224 AD), he turned to subjugate Armenia and other border kingdoms. Tiridates fiercely resisted. Cassius Dio records that Ardashir’s first Armenian campaign met with stout defense: Armenian forces, joined by some remaining Parthian loyalists (including sons of the last Parthian king Artabanus), ambushed Ardashir, forcing him to retreat. This victory was a bright spot – Armenia under Tiridates stood as a last bastion of the Arsacid legacy and a buffer protecting Rome’s eastern flank.
The fight, however, was far from over. Throughout the 230s and 240s, Ardashir and then his son Shapur I launched repeated attacks. Tiridates II, aging but resolute, held out for many years, often resorting to guerrilla tactics in the mountains and rallying Armenian highland fortresses for defense. He received intermittent Roman support (Emperor Alexander Severus in the 230s had an alliance with him), which helped stem the Persian tide. Nevertheless, by the late 240s, Shapur I’s might grew overwhelming. According to later Roman epitomes (and the Byzantine chronicler Zonaras), in the early 250s Armenia finally succumbed: Shapur’s forces overran the country, Tiridates II was forced to flee, and his children were captured or defected to Persia. In 252 AD, Tiridates II disappears from record – likely dying in exile or killed during the collapse.
Collection Tree
- ANCIENT
- Armenia Major
- Tiridates II 217-252 AD
- Armenia Major