Catalog
Tetrachalkon - Artaxias II Nike
| Issuer | Kingdom of Armenia |
|---|---|
| Year | 34 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN APTAZA (Translation: Artaxia, king of the kings) |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Artaxias II was installed on the Armenian throne by Mark Antony in 34 BC following a military campaign that swept through the region and briefly made Armenia a client state of Rome. The king was the son of Artavasdes II, whom Antony had taken prisoner in chains to Alexandria — a humiliation that colored the entire reign of Artaxias II with anti-Roman resentment from the outset.
He would later massacre the Roman merchants and soldiers remaining in Armenia, aligning instead with Parthia. This bronze issue dates to the very opening of that turbulent kingship.