Olympias of Armenia

Olympias (, flourished 4th century, died 361) also known as Olympia, sometimes known as Olympias the Elder to distinguish her from her niece of the same name, was a Christian Roman noblewoman, and a queen of Armenia by marriage to king Arsaces II (Arshak II). Through her father, Olympias was connected to the Constantinian dynasty and through marriage was related to the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia.

Family and early life Olympias' family was of Greek ancestry. politically active in the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire; her mother's identity is not preserved. holding the Praetorian prefecture of the East from 329 to 337/338 and a consulship in 331. Her date of birth is uncertain, possibly falling between the years 324 and 330, and little is known of her early life.

Constantinian dynasty Ablabius acquired great influence over the Roman emperor Constantine I, who agreed to an engagement between his son Constans and Olympias. Constantine I died shortly afterwards in May 337, and Constans inherited the throne in partnership with his brothers Constantine II and Constantius II. In 338 Ablabius was executed after falling out with Constantius II, and the marriage of Olympias and Constans never took place; the two nonetheless lived together and treated each other as a married couple. She was escorted to her new home by Nerses I, reigning Armenian Catholicos. The Romans considered Olympias as the legitimate wife of Arsaces II as this Queen consort, maintained her influence on her husband. Arsaces II was faithful to the Roman and Christian alliance and Olympias would have become a very powerful, wealthy and influential woman in Armenian society.

Pharantzem As Constantius II died in 361, Julian the Apostate succeeded his paternal cousin as Roman emperor. On Julian's accession, Olympias’ influence on her husband made his fidelity to waver. from the royal court. Olympias was extremely careful in where she accepted matters of food and drink from as she only accepted food and drink offered to her from her maids. Olympias was poisoned through communion.

The death of Olympias, was one of the reasons that the church was totally alienated from the royal court of Arsaces II and St. Nerses I being totally outraged was not seen again in the royal court in the lifetime of Arsaces II. The actions of Pharantzem towards Olympias had placed Armenian politics unfavorable to Christian interests and she was considered an impious woman. After the death of Olympias, Pharantzem became the Armenian Queen.