Nero 54-68 AD
Description
Nero’s reign was marked by a decisive war over Armenia that became a showcase of Roman military might and careful diplomacy. Upon Nero’s accession in 54 AD, the Parthian-backed prince Tiridates (brother of King Vologases I of Parthia) was occupying the Armenian throne, in defiance of Rome. This provocation ignited the Roman–Parthian War of 58–63 AD. Nero entrusted the campaign to his best general, Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo, who led the legions of the East in a retaliatory invasion. In 58 AD, Corbulo marched into Armenia, capturing the capital Artaxata, and by 59 AD he seized Tigranocerta, effectively driving out Tiridates. Nero then installed a pro-Roman Armenian king: Tigranes VI, a Cappadocian royal relative, took the throne as a client of Rome.
Parthia, however, was not willing to accept defeat. King Vologases I regrouped and in 62 AD counterattacked – Roman forces under a secondary commander suffered a setback, and Tigranes VI fled. The conflict reached a stalemate, prompting negotiations by 63 AD. The result was the Treaty of Rhandeia, a masterful compromise that ended the war. Under its terms, Rome and Parthia agreed to share in Armenia’s political arrangement: Parthia gained the right to nominate a king from the Arsacid royal family, but that king had to travel to Rome to receive his crown from the Roman emperor. This ensured Armenia remained a buffer state under dual suzerainty – Parthian in dynastic blood, but Roman in official sanction.
In a grand diplomatic spectacle, Tiridates (who was Vologases’ brother and the original contender) came to Italy in 66 AD. Nero ceremonially crowned Tiridates King of Armenia in Rome, in the presence of the Senate and people, glorifying Nero’s status as arbiter of the East. The arrangement ushered in a period of relative peace: Armenia would henceforth be ruled by an Arsacid line loyal to Parthia yet recognized and confirmed by Rome. Nero’s handling of the Armenian question – through force and negotiation – was hailed as a diplomatic triumph, securing Rome’s honor while avoiding protracted war.
Parthia, however, was not willing to accept defeat. King Vologases I regrouped and in 62 AD counterattacked – Roman forces under a secondary commander suffered a setback, and Tigranes VI fled. The conflict reached a stalemate, prompting negotiations by 63 AD. The result was the Treaty of Rhandeia, a masterful compromise that ended the war. Under its terms, Rome and Parthia agreed to share in Armenia’s political arrangement: Parthia gained the right to nominate a king from the Arsacid royal family, but that king had to travel to Rome to receive his crown from the Roman emperor. This ensured Armenia remained a buffer state under dual suzerainty – Parthian in dynastic blood, but Roman in official sanction.
In a grand diplomatic spectacle, Tiridates (who was Vologases’ brother and the original contender) came to Italy in 66 AD. Nero ceremonially crowned Tiridates King of Armenia in Rome, in the presence of the Senate and people, glorifying Nero’s status as arbiter of the East. The arrangement ushered in a period of relative peace: Armenia would henceforth be ruled by an Arsacid line loyal to Parthia yet recognized and confirmed by Rome. Nero’s handling of the Armenian question – through force and negotiation – was hailed as a diplomatic triumph, securing Rome’s honor while avoiding protracted war.
Collection Tree
- ANCIENT
- Roman Empire
- Nero 54-68 AD
- Roman Empire