Rome had conquered the Armenian Empire by 30 BCE, and Armenia has often be a pawn of the Romans in campaigns against their Central Asian enemies, the Parthians.

However, a new dynasty, the Arsacids, takes power in Armenia in CE 53 under the Parthian king, Tiridates, who defeats Roman forces in 62.

Rome's Emperor Nero now conciliates the Parthians by personally crowning Tiridates king of Armenia.

Armenia for much of its subsequent history will not be united under a single sovereign but will usually be divided between empires and among local Armenian rulers.

The Middle East: 33–22 BCE

Parthian Civil War and Roman Diplomacy

In 32 BCE, the Parthian Empire descends into civil war as Tiridates rebels against the rule of Phraates IV, who had previously alienated the nobility through harsh persecutions. Tiridates initially seizes power with considerable support from the Parthian elite, driving Phraates from the throne. However, Phraates soon returns with the backing of Scythian allies, regaining control and forcing Tiridates to flee.

Seeking refuge, Tiridates travels to Roman-held Syria, appealing to the Roman ruler Augustus for assistance. Augustus, unwilling to directly intervene against Parthia at this juncture, allows Tiridates safe haven but withholds active support. Undeterred, Tiridates launches another invasion into Parthian territory around 26 BCE, briefly minting coins under the royal title "Arsaces Philoromaios"—emphasizing his pro-Roman stance with symbolic imagery of Tyche, the goddess of fortune, offering him victory.

Despite this symbolic proclamation of legitimacy, Tiridates is swiftly expelled once more by Phraates. In an attempt to strengthen his political position, Tiridates captures one of Phraates' sons and delivers him to Augustus in Spain, intending to leverage the prince as a bargaining chip. Augustus returns the boy to his father, a gesture of diplomatic goodwill aimed at preserving peace. However, Augustus pointedly refuses to surrender Tiridates himself, further complicating Roman-Parthian relations.

Thus, this era underscores the intricate balance of power in the Middle East, with Rome cautiously navigating internal Parthian conflicts to extend its diplomatic influence without committing to direct military confrontation.

Civil war breaks out in Parthia around 32 BCE, when a certain Tiridates rebels against Phraates IV, probably with the support of the nobility that Phraates had previously persecuted.

Tiridates is expelled when Phraates returns with the help of the Scythians.

He flees to Syria, where Augustus allows him to stay, but refuses to support him.

During the next few years Tiridates invades Parthia again; some coins dated from March and May, 26 BCE, with the name of a king "Arsaces Philoromaios," belong to him; on the reverse they show the king seated on the throne, with Tyche stretching out a palm branch towards him.

He is soon expelled again, and brings a son of Phraates into Spain to Augustus.

Augustus gives the boy back to his father, but declines to surrender "the fugitive slave Tiridates."