Antiochus I Theos of Commagene - Relations With The Romans

Relations With The Romans

While the Roman Republic was annexing territories in Anatolia through skilled diplomacy, Antiochus was able to keep Commagene independent from the Romans. Antiochus is first mentioned in the ancient sources in 69 BC, when the Roman Lucullus campaign against Armenian King Tigranes the Great. Antiochus made peace with general Pompey in 64 BC, when Pompey successfully invaded Syria. Antiochus and Pompey then became allies. Antiochus in 59 BC was granted the Toga Praetexta and was given official recognition from the Roman Senate as an ally to Rome. Antiochus was given an ivory sceptre, an embroidered triumphal robe and he was greeted as king, ally and friend. This recognition was a tradition, which recognises and rewards the allies to Rome. From his reign onwards, monarchs from Commagene proved mostly to be loyal Roman allies. When Marcus Tullius Cicero was Roman governor of Cilicia in 51 BC, Antiochus provided Cicero with intelligence of the movements of the Parthians. During the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey, Antiochus provided a force of 200 cavalry for Pompey and received a reward and his personal thanks.

In 38 BC a legatus of Triumvir Mark Antony, Publius Ventidius Bassus, after defeating the invasion of Syria by Quintus Labienus and Pacorus I, attacked Antiochus and his kingdom, who had rebelled from Rome and supported Parthia in the war. Mark Antony and Publius Ventidius Bassus pursued the Commagenian campaign in the desire for wealth and glory. The siege of Samosata proved costly and ineffective. Antiochus negotiated a favorable peace settlement with Antony, who wished to save face.