Arsaces I of Armenia, also known as Arsaces I, Arshak I and Arsak (ruled 35 AD[1]) was a Parthian prince who was king of Armenia during 35 AD.
Arsaces I was the first-born son of King Artabanus II of Parthia by a wife whose name is unknown.[2]
After the death of the Roman client king of Armenia, Artaxias III, in 34 AD, Artabanus II decided to put his son on the Armenian throne. Artabanus II made Arsaces I king of Armenia and Arsaces was accompanied to Armenia with a strong army.[3] However, Roman emperor Tiberius, refused to accept Arsaces I as king. So Tiberius, with the support of King Pharasmanes I of Iberia, appointed Pharasmanes' brother, Mithridates, to be the new Roman client Armenian king.[4]
Meanwhile, Arsaces I's time as Armenian king was brief. Less than a year into his reign, Arsaces I was poisoned by his servants who had been bribed to carry out the deed.[5] After Arsaces I died, Artabanus II put another of his sons, Orodes, on the Armenian throne. However, Orodes soon had to face Mithridates in a military campaign.[6]