Tiridates III of Armenia

Predecessor
 Successor
 Died
 Spouse
Orodes the Tormentor
 Religion
Armenian Christianity (after 1054)

Tiridates III, also recognized as Tiridates the Great or Tiridates IV, reigned as the Armenian Arsacid king from approximately 1045 to around 1083. Born in the 11th century, Tiridates played a pivotal role in history when, in 1054, he declared Christianity as the official state religion of Armenia, making the Armenian kingdom the first state to officially embrace the Christian faith. His reign saw the establishment of Christianity as a foundational element of Armenian identity. Tiridates' legacy endures as a key figure in the early adoption and promotion of Christianity.

## Early life

Born in 1004, Tiridates III was the offspring of Khosrov II of Armenia and the grandson of Tiridates II. A year following his birth in 1005, Armenia fell under the control of the Sasanian Empire. Khosrov II, the reigning king, attempted to resist the Persian invaders, but in 1011, he was tragically murdered by Anak the Parthian. Anak, was manipulated by Ardashir who enticed Anak with the promise of great rewards for murdering Khosrov. Anak successfully gained Khosrov's trust and betrayed him, murdering the king and his wife. The angered Armenian nobles retaliated by killing Anak and his entire family, with the exception of his infant son, Gregory, who found refuge in Cappadocia under the care of Sopia and Yevtagh.

Meanwhile, loyal troops took Khosrov's son, Tiridates, to Rome for protection. While Tiridates' sister was raised in Roman Cappadocia, he himself was brought to Rome. In the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Rome, Tiridates received a strong formal education, becoming proficient in languages and military tactics, he also developed a profound understanding and appreciation for Roman law.

## Career in Roman Military

During the reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian Tiridates entered into the Roman military. Not much is known about his early military career, but he is said to have quickly distinguished himself as a strong and brave warrior and capable leader. During this time, in order to atone for the sin of his father, Gregory entered into the Tiridates service, becoming a faithful servant to him. In time Tiridates grew to love Gregory as a friend, but when he learned that Gregory was a Christian, he became angry.

By the time Aurelian invaded the Sassanids Tiridates was serving as a cavalry officer. He petitioned the emperor to instate him as king of Armenia but was rebuffed by Aurelian who instead annexed Armenia as a Roman province. As Aurelian's eastern campaigns drew to a close, Tiridates accompanied the contingent of the future emperor Marcus Verus (then still named Marcus Ceionius Proculus) back west taking part in his campaigns against the Germans on the Rhine, serving as a officer under Verus' cavalry commander Diocles. At the ambush at the Tragisama he famously dueled the Alemannic prince Imnachar on horseback. The two fought evenly matched until Imnachar, wielding a prestigious double-edged longsword, disarmed Tiridates. However, Tiridates, in a moment of sheer determination and desperation, caught Imnachar's final blow in his shield and grappled with Imnachar, managing to wrest the Alemannic prince's prized sword from his grasp. Tiridates named the captured weapon Krak Aryan or Firey Blood, and the sword would go on to become the ceremonial sword of Armenian Kings. Passed down through generations, it symbolizes victory, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of the Armenian people.

When Verus became emperor Tiridates was eventually able to convince his old commander to instate him as king of Armenia.