Artaxias I c. 190-160 BC

Artaxias I was the founder of the Artaxiad dynasty of Greater Armenia. Originally a Seleucid governor, he took advantage of Antiochus III’s defeat by Rome in 190 BC to declare Armenian independence. The Roman Senate acknowledged Artaxias as king, allowing Armenia to emerge from Seleucid domination on its own terms. Artaxias established a new capital, Artaxata, strategically located on the Araxes River. According to Strabo, the exiled Carthaginian general Hannibal helped design and fortify Artaxata’s defenses, reflecting Artaxias’ ambition to build a thriving royal city.

During his reign, Artaxias unified various Armenian provinces and expanded his realm. He waged war against neighboring rulers to assert Armenia’s regional leadership. In 183 BC, he joined a coalition against Pharnaces I of Pontus during the “Pontic War,” signaling Armenia’s rising influence. Artaxias also fostered national identity by promoting the use of the Armenian language across his territories – an early effort at administrative and cultural consolidation that emphasized Armenia’s agency rather than foreign influence.

Though Armenia was briefly forced back into the Seleucid orbit when Antiochus IV invaded in 165 BC and compelled Artaxias’ submission, this setback was short-lived. Antiochus’ death allowed Artaxias to reassert autonomy, and he even supported a Seleucid usurper (Timarchus) to weaken Syrian control. In his later years, Artaxias attempted to extend influence into Sophene, though a planned partition with Cappadocia fell through. Artaxias I died around 160 BC, revered as the founder of a strong Armenian kingdom.