Commagene
The Kingdom of Commagene was an ancient Armenian kingdom. Initially a part of the Armenian province of Sophene, it was detached from Armenia along with Sophene by the Seleucids, forming part of the Kingdom of Sophene[1].
Later, in about 163 B.C. the Seleucids detached Commagene from Sophene. The local satrap Ptolemaeus of Commagene established himself as ruler of the Kingdom of Commagene in this year. The kingdom maintained independence until 72 A.D. until it became a Roman Province.[1]
Historical evidence suggests that the population of the region was linguistically and ethnically Armenian until the end of the 1st century B.C.[2][1]
History
Two civilizations had conquered and overran Commagene which shaped and developed the tiny state: the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC and Greek King Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. Commagene was a state and province in the Greek Syrian Seleucid Empire.
When the Satrap (Governor), Ptolemaeus of Commagene or Ptolemy in 163 BC, had revolted against the disintegrating Seleucid Empire and made Commagene an independent kingdom. Ptolemy was in fact a relative of King Mithridates I of Parthia and a descendant of King Darius I of Persia. Commagene’s capital was Samosata.
Ptolemy’s descendant King Mithridates I Callinicus (reigned 109 BC-70 BC) had embraced the Greek culture and married the Syrian Greek Princess Laodice VII Thea whom Mithridates had married as apart of a peace alliance between their kingdoms. From this point on, the kingdom of Commagene became more Greek then Persian.
Mithridates and Laodice’s son was king Antiochus I Theos of Commagene (reigned 70 BC-38 BC). Antiochus was an ally to Roman general Pompey against the Parthians in 64 BC. Through skilled diplomacy, Antiochus was able to keep Commagene independent from the Romans. After the death of Antiochus, Commagene’s prosperity didn’t last and his descendants followed a pro-Roman policy which resulted in 72, when Commagene was annexed by the Roman Empire and became apart of the Roman province of Syria. Influential Greek satirist Lucian (c. 125) was born in Samosata.
The descendants of Antiochus lived prosperously in Greece and Italy. In Athens, a local benefactor and descendant of Antiochus’ Philopappos lived there and a monument is dedicated to him in Athens which is still there.
When the Romans conquered Commagene, Mount Nemrut was abandoned. The Romans looted the tumulus and the XVIth Roman legion had built and dedicated a bridge. The surrounding thick forests, were cut down and cleared by the Romans who their need for wood, timber and charcoal. The clearing of the surrounding forests have caused much erosion to the area.
In Commagene, there is a column topped by an eagle, which has earned the mound name Karakush or The Black Bird. An inscription there indicates, there is a royal tomb that housed three women. Unfortunately, the vault of that tomb has also been looted.
See also
- ^ a b c Toumanoff, Cyril(1963) Studies in Christian Caucasian History, Georgetown University Press
- ^ Bedoukian, Paul (1985). Coinage of the Armenia Kingdoms of Sophene and Commagene. Los Angeles: Armenian Numismatic Society. pp. 30 pages. ISBN 0960684239.
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