Orontes III

Orontes III
King of Armenia
Reign321 – 260 BC
Coronation321 BC
PredecessorMithrenes
SuccessorSames
Died260 BC
IssueSames
DynastyOrontid dynasty
FatherMithrenes

Orontes III (Old Persian: *Arvanta-) was King of Armenia. In his reign he struggled for control of the Kingdom of Sophene with king Antiochus II Theos until being defeated in 272 BC and was forced to pay a large tribute which included 300 talents of silver and 1,000 horses and mules.[citation needed] Orontes III was subsequently murdered in 260 BC,[dubiousdiscuss] whether at the instigation of King Antiochus II is not recorded. His son, Sames, continued to rule in Sophene.[1]

  1. ^ Hovannisian, Richard G., The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times, 2 vols. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997