Pharantzem

Pharantzem, also known as P’arhanjem;Parantzem;Pharandsem;Paranjem and Parandzem of Siwnik’ (Siunik) (Armenian: Փառանձեմ, flourished 4th century – died winter 369/370) was an ancient Armenian noblewoman and through marriage was a relation to the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia.

Pharantzem was from the Syunik Province in Armenia. She was the daughter of Andovk also known as Andok or Antiochus who served as a Naxarar of the Siunia Dynasty in the Syunik Province. Through her father, Pharantzem was a descendant of Sisak. Her paternal uncle Valinak Siak c.330, was the first known Naxarar of the Siunia Dynasty in the Syunik Province, while Valinak's successor and brother who was Pharantzem’s father, Andovk served as the Naxarar of Syunik in c.340. Pharantzem’s mother was an unnamed noblewoman from the Mamikonian family and she had at least one known sibling, a brother called Babik (Bagben) who served as a Naxarar of Syunik in 379. Little is known on her early life. Pharantzem was extremely well known for her beauty and modesty.

Pharantzem in 359 married the Arsacid Prince Gnel. Gnel was the son of the Arsacid Prince Tiridates whose brother was Arsaces II (Arshak II) who ruled as Roman Client King of Armenia from 350 until 368. During the reign of Arsaces II, Gnel was a popular prince in Armenia and could have been seen as a potential successor to his uncle.

Pharantzem’s reputation for her beauty had become renown and widespread to the point as Gnel’s paternal cousin Tirit had become passionately in love with her and desired her to be his wife. Finding a way to plot against his cousin Gnel, Tirit approached their uncle Arsaces II and said to him: “Gnel wants to rule, and to kill you. All the grandees, the Naxarars and the Azats like Gnel and all the Naxarars of the land prefer his lordship over them than yours. Now they say, ‘look and see what you do, king, so that you can save yourself”. Believing the words of Tirit, Arsaces II became agitated and did confirm the statements of Tirit.

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