A Brief Analysis On Armenia In The Relations Between Rome And Parthian Empire(1 Century B.C.-A.D.early 3 Century)

A state of confrontation between Rome and Parthian Empire had existed for centuries,and war and diplomacy were main forms for both sides to deal with their relationship with each other.Armenian Question was a consequence of great-power politics in ancient times.From late 1 century B.C.on,Rome and Parthia began to compete for the suzerainty over Armenia by means of placing their vassal kings there.In Augustus times,Rome began to appoint vassal kings in Armenia according to established traditions,but the attempts were not very successful.In the time of Nero,a compromise was reached by Rome and Parthia after the competition in military and diplomacy in the East,and after the compromise,peace between Rome and Parthia lasted for about fifty years,and the members of Arsacids family from Parthia dominated the kingship in Armenia for a long time with a few interruptions.From the time of Emperor Trajan to the fall of Parthian Empire,Rome launched several wars over Parthian Empire and tried to intensify Rome influence over Armenia with limited success.The geographical situation of Armenia was with potential strategic importance,and the confrontation between Rome and Parthian Empire proved it.The dominance in the control of Armenian kingship of both powers showed a process of wane and wax,and Armenia itself witnessed and influenced their relationship in some degree.The similarities in expansion and government of an empire,the disadvantages for both in conquering and dealing with new territories as Armenia,and the nature factors with social conditions of Armenia itself,are probably the main reasons of the transition of the status in the dominance of Armenia of the two sides.