Khosrov I

Khosrov I (Parthian: 𐭇𐭅𐭎𐭓𐭅; fl. second half 2nd c. - first half 3rd c., died 217) was a Parthian prince who served as a Roman client king of Armenia.

Khosrov I was one of the sons born to King Vologases II of Armenia (Vagharsh II)^[1] who is also known as Vologases V of Parthia^[2] by a mother whose name is unknown. Through his father, Khosrov I was a member of the House of Parthia and thus a relation of the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia.^[3]

In 191, Vologases II ascended the Parthian throne, and as a result relinquished the Armenian throne to Khosrov I.^[4][5] Throughout the 1st and 2nd-centuries, the Armenian throne was usually occupied by a close relative of the Parthian King of Kings, who held the title of "Great King of Armenia".^[6] According to the 5th-century Armenian historian Agathangelos, the king of Armenia had the second rank in the Parthian realm, below only the Parthian king.^[7] The modern historian Lee E. Patterson suggests that Agathangelos may have exaggerated the importance of his homeland.^[8] Khosrov I served as Armenian King from 191 until 217. In Armenian sources, Khosrov I is often confused with his famous grandson Khosrov II.^[9] Little is known on his life, prior to becoming King of Armenia.

Khosrov I is the King whom classical authors present as a neutral monarch towards Rome.^[10] In 195 when the Roman emperor Septimius Severus was on his great campaign to the Parthian Empire sacking the capital Ctesiphon, Khosrov I had sent gifts and hostages to Severus.^[11] As a client monarch of Rome, Khosrov I was under the protection of Septimius Severus and his successor Caracalla.^[12]

Between 214 and 216, Khosrov I with his family were held under Roman detention for unknown reasons which provoked a major uprising in Armenia against Rome.^[13] In 215, Caracalla led a Roman army and invaded Armenia^[14] to end the uprising. Khosrov I may be the Khosrov mentioned in an Egyptian inscription that speaks of Khosrov the Armenian.^[15]

In 217 when Khosrov I died, his son Tiridates II,^[16] was granted the Armenian crown^[17] by the Roman emperor Caracalla.^[18] Tiridates II was declared King of Armenia upon Caracalla's assassination^[19] which was on 8 April 217.