Yerevan to mark 2150th anniversary of great Armenian king

PanARMENIAN.Net - Festivities dedicated to the 2150th anniversary of Armenian king Tigran the Great, kicked off in Yerevan. Tigran The Great: Ruler-Patriot popular science film was screened in Yerevan State University (YSU) on May 12.

Author of the film, Associate Professor of the YSU History Department Artak Movsesyan said that the film’s name was chosen purposefully, as Tigran the Great was a great ruler, for whom Motherland was the highest value.

In his opening remarks, YSU Rector Aram Simonyan said: “Unfortunately, we do not possess accurate data about the King, who turned Armenia into a superpower and enlarged its territory by three times.”

Armenian Academician Vladimir Barkhudaryan also hailed the initiative of the History Department, saying that Tigran the Great not only was an exceptional ruler and diplomat, but he also contributed to the development of the written language, literature and culture in Ancient Armenia.

Meanwhile, Dean of the YSU History Department Edik Minasyan stressed that publications about Tigran the Great in foreign languages are needed.

“Tigran the Great is an ideal politician, from whom the current authorities should learn. Besides he is an ideal model for educating youth,” Artak Movsesyan told journalists.

He added that a range of events dedicated to the king’s anniversary will be organized this year, including conferences, roundtables, trips to historical sites of Armenia, etc.

Tigran (also Tigranes) II the Great - member of Artaxiad dynasty, king of Armenia from 95 to 55 BC, under whom the country became for a short time the strongest state in the Roman East. In 94 BC, he annexed the kingdom of Sophene to his state. At the same time, he started preparing for a war with Cappadocia. He entered into alliance with Mithradates VI of Pontus, whose daughter he married. Later, in 84 BC, Tigran advanced into Syria, governed by the Seleucids, and soon conquered Upper Syria, later – north-eastern Cilicia and Kommagen. The relationship with Mithradates made Tigran to get involved in a war with Romans. In 66 BC, Pompey advanced into Armenia and Tigran had to surrender. However, Tigran agreed with Pompey on retaining his kingdom shorn of his conquests in return for 6,000 talents of silver. Tigran died in 55BC; he was succeeded by his son Artavasdes.