Antony’s campaign against Armenia

In 34 BCE as retaliation for Armenian cavalry deserting Mark Antony against Parthia, Antony set out to conquer Armenia.

Background
Main article: Antony's Atropatene campaign

In 35 BCE Antony had launched an invasion against Parthia commanding one of the largest single forces ever by a Roman commander, close to 150,000 men. Part of this invasion force were 6000 Armenian cataphracts along with other cavalry.[1] As Parthia had a primarily cavalry-based military the Armenian cavalry were essential. In 35 BCE after Antony’s siege equipment was destroyed by the Parthians the Armenian king Artavasdes II predicting that Antony would suffer defeat retreated back to Armenia and took his cavalry with him. Antony's invasion of Parthia failed and he was forced to retreat. However keen to avoid the mistake of Crassus by retreating through the open desert, he retreated through Armenian mountains.[1] Because of this he kept up the illusion of friendly relations with the Armenians during his retreat. Antony returned to Alexandria and instantly began a plan to conquer Armenia. Roman sources such as Plutarch and Cassius Dio say that Artavasdes II betrayal was the reason for Antony’s defeat in Parthia, though modern scholars instead blame a lack of logistical planning on the part of Antony. In addition Antony needed to boost his prestige in Rome which had declined due to the Parthian campaign’s failure.

Campaign against Armenia

Till the summer of 34 BCE Antony waited in Alexandria till he made his attack in early September. The Armenian troops attempted to put up resistance but were no match for the Romans. On September 18th Antony’s troops entered the capital and captured Artavasdes II. He was then brought to Alexandria and was kept imprisoned by Cleoptatra till he was executed in 31 BCE. Rome maintained control over Armenia till the Final war of the Roman Republic. In 20 BCE Augustus negotiated a peace treaty between Rome and Parthia which led to Armenia becoming a buffer state between the two.

See also

References
  1. Patterson, Lee E. (2015-05-07). "Antony and Armenia". TAPA. 145 (1): 77–105. doi:10.1353/apa.2015.0006. ISSN 2575-7199.
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