Tigranes IV

Tigranes IV (late 1st century BC – c. 1 AD) was a prince of the Kingdom of Armenia and member of the Artaxiad dynasty who served as a Roman client king of Armenia from 8 BC until 5 BC and 2 BC until 1 AD.

Family background and early life Tigranes IV was the son born to Tigranes III by a mother whose name is unknown. His known sibling was his younger paternal half-sister Erato who was born to another woman, whose name is also unknown. Tigranes IV was born and raised either in Rome where his father lived in political exile for 10 years from 30 BC until 20 BC or during his father's Kingship of Armenia in which he ruled from 20 BC until 8 BC. for the Armenian throne, as their dual rule did not have Roman approval and they leaned towards Parthia for support.

Rome and Parthia competed with one another for their protégés to have influence and govern Armenia. Roman historian of the 4th century Sextus Rufus informs us that anti-Roman sentiment was building in Armenia during the reign of Tigranes IV and Erato. Rufus also emphasizes that the Kingdom of Armenia was very strong during this period.

The dispossessed and the discontent of the ruling Artaxiad monarchs and their subjects towards ancient Rome had instigated war with the aid of King Phraates V of Parthia. To avoid a full-scale war with Rome, Phraates V soon ceased his support to the Armenian ruling monarchs. This lead Tigranes IV and Erato, acknowledging Roman suzerainty; Augustus receiving their submission to Rome and good wishes, allowed them to remain in power. perhaps ending an internal Armenian revolt of those who were infuriated by the royal couple becoming allies to Rome. The war and the chaos that occurred afterwards, Erato abdicated her throne and ended her rule over Armenia.

From the situation surrounding Tigranes IV and Erato, the Armenians requested to Augustus, a new Armenian king.