The Roman–Parthian War of 58–63 is fought between the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire over control of Armenia, a vital buffer state between the two realms.
Armenia has been a Roman client state since the days of Emperor Augustus, but in 52/53, the Parthians succeed in installing their own candidate, Tiridates, on the Armenian throne.These events coincide with the ascension of Nero to the imperial throne in Rome, and the young emperor decides to react vigorously.
The war, which is the only major foreign campaign of his reign, begins with rapid success for the Roman forces, led by the able general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo.
They overcome the forces loyal to Tiridates, install their own candidate, Tigranes VI, on the Armenian throne, and leave the country.
The Romans are aided by the fact that the Parthian king Vologases is embroiled in the suppression of a series of revolts in his own country.
As soon as these had been dealt with, however, the Parthians turn their attention to Armenia, and after a couple of years of inconclusive campaigning, inflict a heavy defeat on the Romans in the Battle of Rhandeia.The conflict ends soon after, in an effective stalemate and a formal compromise: a Parthian prince of the Arsacid line will henceforth sit on the Armenian throne, but his nomination has to be approved by the Roman emperor.
This conflict is the first direct confrontation between Parthia and the Romans since Crassus' disastrous expedition and Mark Antony's campaigns a century earlier, and will be the first of a long series of wars between Rome and Iranian powers over Armenia.
