Artaxias II

Family background and early life Artaxias II was the eldest son of Artavasdes II of Armenia by a mother whose name is unknown. He and was the namesake of his paternal ancestor, Artaxias I. Artaxias II had two siblings: a younger brother who would later become Tigranes III name unknown, who possibly married King Archelaus of Cappadocia. He was born and raised in Armenia.

Kingship Artaxias II ascended to the Armenian throne in 30 BC when he regained the throne that had been lost by his father. Artaxias II escaped and fled to King Phraates IV of Parthia. With the support of Phraates IV, Artaxias II led a successful military campaign against Artavasdes I of Media Atropatene, a former enemy of Artavasdes II. Augustus agreed to the Armenians' request and sent his step-son Tiberius, along with Tigranes III and a large army, to depose Artaxias II. Before Tiberius and Tigranes III arrived in Armenia, a cabal within the palace murdered Artaxias II. The Romans installed Tigranes III as the new king of Armenia unopposed.