Khosrov II

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Khosrov II of Armenia, known in Roman sources as Chosroes and called Khosrov the Brave, was an Armenian king from the Arsacid dynasty who ruled from 252 to 258. He was the son of Tiridates II and succeeded his father on the throne, with Vagharshapat as his capital. He was named after his grandfather Khosrov I, and his name is linked to Parthian kings Osroes I and II, which sometimes causes confusion in the sources.

Little is known about his life before he became king. From 226 to 238, Tiridates II fought Ardashir I, the founder of the Sassanid Empire, as Ardashir tried to expand into Armenia. Tiridates resisted successfully, and Khosrov helped in the campaigns, earning respect from Ardashir.

When Tiridates II died in 252, Khosrov II took the throne. He and his wife had two children: a son, Tiridates, and a daughter, Khosrovidukht.

In 258, Anak the Parthian, encouraged by Ardashir and his son Shapur I with promises to reclaim lands, murdered Khosrov II in Vagharshapat. The Armenian nobles killed Anak and most of his family, sparing his infant son Gregory, who would later become Saint Gregory the Illuminator and the first head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, helping Armenia convert to Christianity in 301.

Ardashir then took Armenia into the Sassanid Empire. Khosrov’s son Tiridates had been taken to Rome for protection and grew up there, while his sister Khosrovidukht was raised in Cappadocia. In 298, Tiridates, now restored to the Armenian throne, was placed back on the throne by Emperor Diocletian and ruled until about 330. It is believed that Tiridates may have asked Agathangelos to write a life story about Khosrov II.