Sykes' History of Persia - Heritage Institute

Phraataces and Musa.
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE STRUGGLE FOR ARMENIA
Quin et Artabani Parthorum regis laceratus est litteris
parricldia
et caedes
et ignaviam et luxuriam obiclentis monentisque, ut voluntaria morte maximo
iustissimoque civium odio quam primum satis faceret.—
Suetonius, Tiberius,
8. 66.
The Armenian Question.—The relations between Rome
and Parthia would probably have continued to be friendly
but for the constantly recurring Armenian question.
Augustus accepted the snafus quo as arranged by the
Parthians after the departure of Antony, and Artaxias was
left in undisturbed possession
On his death,
of the throne of Armenia.
in 20 B.C., the Emperor sent Tiberius to
nominate his brother Tigranes as his successor. Tigranes
reigned until his death in 6 b.c, when the Armenians
placed his three sons upon the throne. This independence
displeased Augustus, who despatched an army to establish
a Roman nominee in place of the three natural heirs.
Shortly afterwards a rebellion broke out, and Phraates,
who must have watched the situation with the greatest
interest, came forward as the protector of another Tigranes,
who was unanimously chosen King. Augustus was now
an old man, but he was determined to assert the suzerainty
of Rome, and, after hesitating whom to entrust with the
difficult task, despatched his relative Caius with full
authority to the East.
The Murder of Phraates IV,^ 2 B.C., and the Treaty with
Rome., A.D. I.— Everything seemed to point to a new trial
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