Now at this time, in A.D. 20 Parthian generals conquered the regions of northern India and declared independence to form the “Indo-Parthian Kingdom.” Roman-Parthian relations had become increasingly centered on Armenia, which was situated geo-politically between the Roman Empire and Parthia, Rome’s implacable foe in the east, “the kings of the east”. In both Crassus’s and Antony’s campaigns (ending 53 and 31 B.C., near the end of the Roman Republic in 27 B.C.) the Armenians had already played an influential role in the early history of Roman-Parthian relations; the Armenian king had a large role as a guide, and “betrayer” as some sources state. Since the reign of Augustus Caesar it had been Roman policy to appoint vassal kings there and so make Armenia a buffer state against Parthia and the kings of the east. An advance on Armenia from one side was often interpreted as a pretext for war by the other. Throughout the remaining history of Roman-Parthian relations Armenia would have the role of a “buffer state” between the two powers. | Now at this time, in A.D. 20 Parthian generals conquered the regions of northern India and declared independence to form the “Indo-Parthian Kingdom.” Roman-Parthian relations had become increasingly centered on Armenia, which was situated geo-politically between the Roman Empire and Parthia, Rome’s implacable foe in the east, “the kings of the east”. In both Crassus’s and Antony’s campaigns (ending 53 and 31 B.C., near the end of the Roman Republic in 27 B.C.) the Armenians had already played an influential role in the early history of Roman-Parthian relations; the Armenian king had a large role as a guide, and “betrayer” as some sources state. Since the reign of Augustus Caesar it had been Roman policy to appoint vassal kings there and so make Armenia a buffer state against Parthia and the kings of the east. An advance on Armenia from one side was often interpreted as a pretext for war by the other. Throughout the remaining history of Roman-Parthian relations Armenia would have the role of a “buffer state” between the two powers. |