30โ€“20 BC: Exile, Return, and the Restoration of the Pharnavazid Dynasty

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and King Mirian II waited a lifetime to serve it. His story reads like the Count of Monte Cristo of ancient Georgia. Born as the heir to the throne, his father King Parnajom was killed and his dynasty usurped when he was just an infant (90 BC). While the Artaxiad dynasty ruled Iberia for 60 years, Mirian grew up in the shadows of the Persian court, a king without a kingdom.

His reign (30โ€“20 BC) was short, but its significance is monumental. He represents the resilience of legitimacy and the shift of Georgiaโ€™s geopolitical compass back toward the East.

The Life in Exile

When his father Parnajom was killed by the Armenian-backed coup in 90 BC, loyal servants spirited the baby Mirian away to Persia (Parthia). For decades, he lived as a guest of the Parthian King of Kings. He watched from afar as the Romans invaded his homeland under Pompey and Canidius.

He saw the Artaxiad kings (Artaxias, Artag, Parnavaz II) struggle to maintain power. He waited for the perfect moment when Rome would be weak. That moment came in 30 BC, with the chaotic end of the Roman civil wars.

The Restoration

With a massive Parthian army at his back, Mirian II marched into Iberia. He was an old man by the time he returned to the land of his birth, but his resolve was iron. He defeated the usurper Parnavaz II in battle, ending the Artaxiad interregnum.

His victory was celebrated by traditionalists who saw him as the true heir of the legendary Pharnavaz I. His return marked the Restoration of the Pharnavazid Dynasty, correcting what many Georgians saw as a 60-year historical error.

Re-orienting to the East

Having been saved and raised by Parthians, Mirian II naturally aligned Georgia with Iran. He rejected the Roman alliances of his predecessors. During his 10-year reign, Persian culture, architecture, and political structures saw a resurgence in Mtskheta.

He rebuilt the fortifications destroyed by Roman wars and focused on stabilizing the internal administration. He prepared the succession for his son, Arshak II, ensuring that the restored dynasty would not fall again.

Tourism Guide: The Persian Trace

Mirian IIโ€™s influence is subtle but present in Georgian archaeology:

  1. Dedoplis Mindori: Located in the Shida Kartli region, this is a massive temple complex from around this era. It shows distinct fire-temple architecture, reflecting the strong Zoroastrian/Persian influence that Mirian II brought back with him from exile. Visiting these ruins gives you a glimpse into the religious shift of his time.
  2. Treasury of the Georgian National Museum: Look for the polychrome jewelry style (gold with inlaid turquoise and garnets). This style, heavily influenced by Iranian art, became popular in the Iberian court during and after Mirianโ€™s restoration.

Mirian II died in 20 BC, having accomplished his life’s mission: to die as King on the throne of his ancestors.