Ariobarzanes II of Atropatene

Ariobarzanes II of Atropatene also known as Ariobarzanes of Media; Ariobarzanes of Armenia; Ariobarzanes II; Ariobarzanes II of Media Atropatene and Ariobarzanes (40 BC – June 26, 4 AD from 2 AD until 4.

Family background and early life Ariobarzanes II was a monarch of Media, of Armenian and Greek descent. He was the first son and among the children born to Artavasdes I and Athenais.

Ariobarzanes II served as a loyal Roman client king and was used as a key element in Augustus’ Asian policy. Ariobarzanes II made Artagira his capital city when he ruled Armenia and Media Atropatene together. By other sources, Armenians did not accept Ariobarzanes, who was pursuing a pro-Roman policy. It is supposed that he became a victim of a conspiracy organized by the Armenians. In 4, Ariobarzanes II died and was succeeded his son Artavasdes IV, In Rome, two Epitaph inscriptions have been found bearing the name of an Artavasdes. The epitaphs are probably of the son and the grandson of a Median Atropatenian king called Ariobarzanes. However it is uncertain if the Ariobarzanes refers to Ariobarzanes I or Ariobarzanes II.