Ashkhen

Ashkhen often known as Queen Ashkhen (Armenian: Աշխեն, flourished second half of the 3rd century & first half of the 4th century) was the wife of King Tiridates III of Armenia. Through her marriage she became Queen of Armenia and a member of the Arsacid dynasty.

Ashkhen was a monarch Sarmatian origins. She was the daughter and is the known child of the King of the Alans, Ashkatar who is also known as Ashkhadar by an unnamed wife. Ashkhen was born at an unknown date between about 260-280 and was raised in the Alani Kingdom. Little is known on her early life, prior to marry Tiridates III.

The name Ashkhen is a female Armenian name. The name derives from the word akhsen ‘grey’, or Zend akhsaena which means ‘black’ or ‘bluish-black’. The name may also come from the word khset or Zend khsaeta ‘fiery red’. Ashkhen may have come from the name Ashkhadar.

Tiridates III served as a Roman Client King of Armenia from 287-330. In 297, Tiridates III married Ashkhen when Tiridates III had his guarantee of Armenian autonomy from the Romans and he was free of Sassanid plotting and the incursions of the Caucasian tribes ceased. When Tiridates III had sent for Ashkhen to marry as his wife, he sent his general Smbat who was the father of Bagarat to bring Ashkhen from the Alani Kingdom. When Ashkhen had come to Armenia, Tiridates III ordered Ashkhen to be inscribed as an Arsacid to be vested with purple and to crowned in order to become the king's bride. Ashkhen was given the titles of Arsacian and Queen. These titles that Ashkhen was given were used to express the highest honors to which a woman could be raised in Armenia. With him, Ashkhen had three children: a son called Khosrov III, a daughter called Salome and an unnamed daughter who married St. Husik I, one of the earlier Catholicoi of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

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