A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

king of Armenia, was a son of ARTAVASDES I., and grandson of the preceding. He was living an exile at Rome, when a party of his countrymen, discontented with the rule of his elder brother, Artaxias, sent to request that he should be placed on the throne. To this Augustus assented, and Tiberius was charged with the duty of accomplishing it, a task which he effected apparently without opposition, Artaxias being put to death by some of the Armenians themselves. Tiberius placed the crown on the head of Tigranes with his own hand (B. C. 20), and then withdrew from Armenia (Tac. Ann. 2.3; D. C. 54.9 ; Suet. Tib. 9 ; Mon. Ancyr. pp. 35, 107, ed. Franz. ; J. AJ 15.4.3). No particulars are known of his reign, which was of short duration. (Tac. l.c. ; Orell. ad loc.)