A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

king of Media Atropatene, and an enemy of Artavasdes I., king of Armenia. Antony invaded his country in B. C. 36, at the instigation of the Armenian kin, and laid siege to his capital, Phraaspa. After Antony, however, had been obliged to retreat from Media with great loss, Artavasdes had a serious quarrel with the Parthian king, Phraates, about the booty which had been taken from the Romans. In consequence of this dispute, and also of his desire to be revenged upon the king of Armenia, Artavasdes offered peace and alliance to Antony, through means of Polemon, king of Pontus. This offer was gladly accepted by Antony, as he too wished to punish the Armenian king on account of his desertion of him in his campaign in Media. After Antony had conquered Armenia in B. C. 34, the alliance between him and Artavasdes was rendered still closer by the latter giving his daughter, Iotape, in marriage to Alexander, the son of Antony. Artavasdes further engaged to assist Antony with troops against Octavianus, and Antony on his part promised the Median king help against the Parthians. With the assistance of the Roman troops, Artavasdes was for a time enabled to carry on the war with success against the Parthians and Artaxias II., the exiled king of Armenia; but when Antony recalled his forces in order to oppose Octavianus, Artavasdes was defeated by Artaxias, and taken prisoner. Artavasdes recovered his liberty shortly afterwards. Plutarch (Plut. Ant. 61) mentions Median troops at the battle of Actium; but these might have been sent by Artavasdes before his captivity. After the battle of Actium, Octavianus restored to Artavasdes his daughter Iotape, who had married Antony's son. Artavasdes died shortly before B. C. 20. (D. C. 49.25, 33, 40, 41, 1. 1, 51.16, 54.9; Plut. Ant. 38, 52.)