#orontid

ORONTID DYNASTY: 

THE Orontid dynasty (aka Eruandid or Yervanduni) succeeded the Kingdom of Urartu in ancient Armenia and ruled from the 6th to 3rd century BCE. Initially, the Orontids ruled as Persian satraps and the culture, language and political practices of that state were introduced into ancient Armenia. Then, under Seleucid rule, the Orontid kings became more independent and minted their own coinage. The dynasty ended around 200 BCE with the murder of Orontes IV and the appointment of king Artaxias I by the Seleucid king Antiochus III.

The founder of the royal dynasty of the Orontids was Orontes (Yervand) Sakavakyats (c. 570-560 BCE, although reign dates for most of the Orontids are disputed) who took advantage of the power vacuum caused by the collapse of the Urartu civilization in the last decade of the 6th century BCE. Urartu was a confederation of kingdoms which had ruled over ancient Armenia, eastern Turkey, and western Iran since the 9th century BCE. Its cities were attacked and destroyed over a decade or so by various peoples, notably the Scythians.

Armenia

“Empire, Growth, Pride”

“Armenia is familiar with the rise and fall of empires. Until it was conquered by the Medes, Its iron-age Urartu Kingdom was matched only by Assyria in size and power. Reduced to a satrapy, Armenia passed into the hands of the Macedonians, and latterly the Seleucids. But this subjugation had its benefits. Seleucid power eventually declined enough for Armenia to break away and become a sophisticated Hellenistic state in its own right.

Armenia’s prime trading location between the Black and Caspian seas gave rise to new cities and ushered in an age of prosperity that left it poised to restore its former glories. Tigranes the Great took advantage of the instability of the Seleucid Empire to seize Syria in 83BC, and a marriage alliance with Pontus soon cemented Armenia’s position as one of the largest kingdoms in the East.

Between Armenia’s rapid growth and Pontus’ aggressive western expansion, Rome was compelled to intervene, and sent an army to cut the two kingdoms down to size. Armenia was relieved of much of its territory and forced to become a client state. And yet, while this once-proud kingdom is still supressed, it has taken note of the Roman instability caused by Caesar’s death…

Trade connections guarantee wealth, mountains provide a defensive refuge, and its Cataphract cavalry is second to none. With Armenia’s history of rapidly building empires, can it rise to the challenge and do so again?”

Orontid Dynasty “Due to its strategic location, the Kingdom of Armenia was much coveted by foreign empires. It both enjoyed and endured different states of independence throughout its history. At the time of Rome's succession troubles it was a client state, existing in uneasy alliance with the Romans.“