Tigranes the Great earned his epithet through a series of military and political successes achieved during his long reign. His numerous victories greatly expanded Armenian territory and power, and included the annexation of Sophene and Commagene, as well as the occupation of western Media, northern Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine. The occupation of lands and his influence over their kings justified his eventual assumption of the typically eastern title 'king of kings'. It was during Tigranes' occupation of Syria, displacing the Seleucid dynasty, that he gained control of the great mint at Antioch. From this mint he issued a large series of portrait tetradrachms, whose dies were crafted by some of the finest engravers of the day. Tigranes' power waned in the 60's BC, when his interests came into conflict with the expanding power of Rome. After a series of losses, his son defected to the Roman general Pompey, and Tigranes finally surrendered. Having submitted to the Romans, Tigranes was allowed to remain the king of Armenia as a tributary of Rome.
KINGS of ARMENIA. Tigranes II, the Great. 95-56 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.80 g, 1h). Antioch mint. Draped bust right, wearing tiara with star and eagles; two-pellet points on tiara / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΙΓΡΑΝΟΥ, Tyche of Antioch seated right on rock, holding branch; below, river-god Orontes swimming right; monograms on rock and to inner right. Nercessian Group 1 (A2/P57); CAA 17; AC 31.
