Tigranes II of Armenia

Tigranes II was crowned King of Armenia after being released as a hostage by the Parthian king Mithridates II. He immediately began expanding Armenian territory, conquering Sophene and other regions, laying the foundation for his empire.

Tigranes II conquered the remnants of the Seleucid Empire, annexing Syria and Cilicia. This expansion brought Armenia to its greatest territorial extent, stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, and made Tigranes a major power in the Near East.

Tigranes II founded the city of Tigranocerta as the new capital of his empire. The city was built with a mixed population of Armenians, Greeks, and others, and became a major Hellenistic center of trade and culture in the region.

Roman forces under Lucullus defeated Tigranes II's army at the Battle of Tigranocerta. The defeat led to the loss of Tigranes' newly conquered territories and the sacking of his capital, marking the beginning of the decline of the Armenian Empire.

After further defeats, Tigranes II submitted to the Roman general Pompey. He was allowed to retain Armenia proper as a Roman ally but was forced to give up all his conquests, including Syria, Cilicia, and Sophene, reducing Armenia to its pre-imperial borders.