Orontes I

Orontes I (Armenian: Yervand I) Armenian King of the Orontid Dynasty, reigning in the period between 401 BCE – 344 BCE.

The Persian version of the name is Auruand which means "Great Warrior" in the Avestan language.

It is likely this was a special title given by the Persian king to a chosen Armenian man, though this seems to have become a hereditary title in that family.

According to the Greek sources (Herodotus, Strabo) Orontes was made Satrap of Sophene and Matiene (Mitanni); these regions comprised western and eastern Armenia.

He is given these satrapies after the Battle of Cunaxa in 401 BCE for supporting Artaxerxes II against Cyrus the Younger.

It is likely he ruled from Armavir as the previous the previous Satrap of Armenia, Hydarnes, had ruled from there.

He also marries Rodogoune, the daughter of king Artaxerxes II by one of his concubines.

He is next recorded in 381 BCE for the campaign to recapture Cyprus from its rebel leader, King Evagoras, commanding the army, while the navy is under the command of Tiribazus.

They manage to lay siege to the city of Salamis, however Orontes then impeaches Tiribazus to king Artaxerxes II.

Before three Persian noble judges, Orontes is found guilty of false charges.

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