AD 1–58: Conquest, Betrayal, and the Game of Thrones in Ancient Georgia

If you think medieval politics were ruthless, you haven’t met Pharasmanes I (Parsman I) the Great. Ruling Iberia for nearly 60 years in the 1st Century AD, he is arguably the most formidable politician and warrior Georgia ever produced in the ancient era. The Roman historian Tacitus dedicated significant pages to him in his Annals, painting a portrait of a king who was cunning, ambitious, and utterly devoid of sentimentality.

Pharasmanes didn’t just survive the clash between the Roman and Parthian empires; he exploited it. Under his rule, the Kingdom of Iberia expanded its borders and became the dominant power in the South Caucasus, dictating who sat on the throne of Armenia.

The Conquest of Armenia

In AD 35, the Roman Emperor Tiberius faced a crisis: Parthia was trying to install a puppet king on the throne of Armenia. Tiberius needed a strong ally in the region. He turned to Pharasmanes.

Pharasmanes saw an opportunity. He mobilized a massive army, including Albanian allies and fierce Sarmatian mercenaries from across the Caucasus mountains. He invaded Armenia, crushed the Parthian forces, and captured the capital, Artaxata. But he didn’t hand Armenia over to Rome. Instead, he placed his own brother, Mithridates, on the Armenian throne. For years, the two brothers ruled the South Caucasus as a family empire: Pharasmanes in Mtskheta and Mithridates in Yerevan.

The Betrayal of a Brother

But power is a dangerous drug. As years passed, Pharasmanes had a son, Radamistus. Tall, handsome, and incredibly ambitious, Radamistus grew impatient waiting for his father to die. He began plotting a coup in Iberia.

Pharasmanes, seeing the danger, deflected his son’s ambition with a chilling proposal: “Why take my small throne when your uncle Mithridates has a larger one in Armenia?” He encouraged his son to overthrow his own brother. Radamistus invaded Armenia. He tricked his uncle Mithridates into a peace conference, where he treacherously arrested him. Since he had sworn not to kill Mithridates by “sword or poison,” Radamistus had his uncle smothered to death under a pile of heavy carpets. It was a brutal act of kinslaying sanctioned by Pharasmanes to keep his own throne secure.

The Visit to Rome

Despite his ruthless nature, or perhaps because of it, Pharasmanes was deeply respected by Rome. He is one of the few Eastern kings who traveled to Rome as an honored guest (likely during the reign of Emperor Claudius). Historical tradition suggests he visited the capital with his family and even displayed his martial skills in the arena, impressing the Roman populace.

His reign ended in AD 58, leaving behind a kingdom that was feared and respected. He had expanded Iberia’s borders, centralized power, and proven that Georgian kings were not pawns, but players.

Tourism Guide: The Seat of Pharasmanes

To understand the scale of Pharasmanes’ power, visit:

  1. Armaztsikhe (The Royal Acropolis): The ruins of the royal palace in Mtskheta date heavily from this period. You can see the remains of the wine cellar (marani), the bathhouse (thermae) built in the Roman style, and the sarcophagi of the nobility. It shows a court that was wealthy, sophisticated, and deeply connected to the Roman world.
  2. Dedoplis Mindori: While often associated with religious functions, this site in Shida Kartli flourished during the 1st century AD. Its sheer scale reflects the centralized resources Pharasmanes commanded.
  3. The Roman Mosaic in Dzalisa: Located near Mtskheta, the Dzalisa archaeological site contains beautiful Roman-style mosaics (including Dionysus). While slightly later, it represents the cultural influx that began under Pharasmanes’ pro-Roman (but self-serving) policies.