Artashes I

Artashes I

 

also Artaxias (died c. 160 B.C.). King of Greater Armenia from 189 B.C.

After the defeat of the Seleucids in their struggle against the Romans at Magnesia in 190 B.C., Artashes led an Armenian uprising against the Seleucids, proclaimed the independence of Greater Armenia, and became the founder of the Artaxiad dynasty. He consolidated and expanded his possessions considerably, subjugating almost the entire Armenian Highland. Wars enriched him and the slaveholding nobility. Under Artashes I the capital was moved from Armavir to the city of Artashat, which he had recently constructed. He carried out reforms that strengthened private property in land.

REFERENCE

Trever, K. V. Ocherki po istorii kul’tury Drevnei Armenii (II v. do n.e.-IV v. n.e.). Moscow-Leningrad, 1953.