Arzanene

Map of the provinces of the Kingdom of Armenia in 150, including Arzanene (Aghdznik)

Arzanene (Greek: Ἀρζανηνή) or Aghdznik (Armenian: Աղձնիք, romanized: Ałjnik῾) was a historical region in the southwest of the ancient kingdom of Armenia. It was ruled by one of the four bdeashkhs (bidakhsh, vitaxa) of Armenia, the highest ranking nobles below the king who ruled over the kingdom's border regions.[1] Its probable capital was the fortress-city of Arzen.[2] The region briefly became home to the capital of Armenia during the reign of Tigranes the Great, who built his namesake city Tigranocerta there.[3] Arzanene was placed under the direct suzerainty of the Roman Empire after the Peace of Nisibis in 298. It was briefly brought back under Armenian control c. 371 but was soon lost again following the partition of Armenia in 387.[3]

  1. ^ Eremyan 1975.
  2. ^ Hewsen 1992, p. 157, n. 45.
  3. ^ a b Hewsen 1992, p. 158, n. 45.