 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
came to overshadow Arius' original philosophical proposal. In 325, six years after Arius began to
propagate his ideas, the Council of Nicaea was called by Constantine the Great to debate and resolve the
crisis. Through the gifted oratory of St. Athanasius of Alexandria, the council found in favor of the
antiArian position. Arius was exiled, and everyone hoped that the controversy was ended.
The Eastern bishops, however, declared their support in principle for the Arian ideas, insofar as they
opposed the Nicene notion of homoousios, meaning "the same," a term used to describe Christ's nature
with the Father. They preferred homoios, or "like." Constantine was not an Arian, but such a definition
was tolerated under his rule. His son, Constantius II (337-361) could be called a supporter of the
movement, doing what he could to reduce the power of the bishops who followed the creed established at
Nicaea. The trend was thus set, transforming the religious movement into a powerful political weapon.
Emperor Valens (364-378) was an Arian, but during his reign a figure rose to prominence who would
singlehandedly deal a fatal blow to the entire movement. He was AMBROSE, consecrated bishop of Milan
in 374. In 381, at the Council of Aquileia, Ambrose personally had the Arians removed from their posts as
bishops. He later occupied a church that the Empress Justina had proposed to give to the Arians. Such
actions should have ended the Arian sect, but the Goths, Vandals and Teutons adopted the creed, ensuring
its survival until the 6th century. See also CHRISTIANITY.
¤ ARIARATHES X OF CAPPADOCIA
(d. 36 B.C.) A king who ruled from 42 B.C. and was one of
the last of the Priestly-Kings of CAPPADOCIA. Antony found him an unreliable client in the East. In 36
B.C., during the Parthian War, Ariarathes sided with Parthia, aided by Antiochus I of Commagene. For
this refusal to aid Rome, Ariarathes was driven from the throne and replaced by the more accommodating
Archelaus. The deposed king was taken away and executed.
¤ ARIOBARZANES III (d. 42 B.C.) King of Cappadocia and ally of Julius Caesar in his civil war with
POMPEY THE GREAT. After the battle of PHARSALUS in 48 B.C., Caesar gave Ariobarzanes a slice
of Armenia, thus removing the territory from the control of King Deoitarus of Galatia. Later that year the
Cappadocian king joined Caesar's lieutenant, Calvinus, in his attempt to defeat the rebellious ruler of
Cimmerian Bosporus, Pharnaces. Loyalty was not enough to prevent defeat at Nicopolis in October.
Ariobarzanes was present at the battle of Zela (in May 47), when Caesar defeated Pharnaces, and
received another portion of Armenia for his efforts. Still loyal to Caesar, in 42 Ariobarzanes refused to
settle with Cassius and Brutus in their civil war, and was subsequently arrested and killed by Cassius. He was
succeeded by ARIARATHES x.
¤ ARIOBARZANES OF MEDIA (d. c. 4 A.D.) Ruler of MEDIA ATROPATENE who was given
Armenia in 4 A.D. by Augustus, at the request of that nation's people and following the murder of the
tryannical Artaxes II by his courtiers. Augustus found in Ariobarzanes a loyal client-king and used the
Mede as a key element in his Asian policy. In 1 or 2 A.D., King Tigranes of Armenia was killed in battle,
probably with his own people. His queen Erato abdicated, and Gaius Caesar, the son of Augustus,
proposed to hand Armenia to Ariobarzanes as well. The Armenians, fiery and proud, refused to have a
foreigner rule them, especially a Mede, and they revolted under the leadership of a man named Addon.
Gaius reduced the city of Artagira, and Ariobarzanes was made king of Armenia. According to Tacitus,
 |