v31_0085 - SYRIA - SELEUKID KINGDOM - TIGRANES Hemichalque, (PB, Æ 16)

SYRIA - SELEUKID KINGDOM - TIGRANES

(83-69 BC)

Armenian King

The Antiochians, tired of the fratricidal wars between Philip Philadelphus and Antiochus X, appealed to the King of Armenia, Tigranes II. The King of Armenia chased the two competitors. Antiochus X took refuge in Commagene and Philip may have died fighting Tigranes. Aretas captured Damascus. Tigrane allied himself with Mithridates VI of Pontus who was also his father-in-law, hereditary enemy of the Romans. In 70 BC. -VS. , the king of Pontus was defeated by Lucullus and was forced to take refuge in Syria. Antiochus XIII and his brother Seleucus, the sons of Antiochus X and Selene, revolted and rallied part of Syria to their cause. Tigranes besieged then took Ptolemais and had Selene executed. Tigranes joined Antioch and met there Appius Claudius, Roman ambassador who summoned him to deliver Mithridates to him, the king of Armenia refused to do so.. In 69 Lucullus defeated the Armenians and besieged Tigranocerte. Tigranes lost Syria which was given to Antiochus XIII Asiaticus. Pompey, successor of Lucullus in the East, signed peace with Tigranes. Aemilius Scaurus defeated Aretas who was driven out of Damascus in 64 BC. -VS. Pompey declared war on Antiochus XIII whom he easily crushed and annexed Syria. The following year, Mithridates VI of Pontus committed suicide at the age of 69..