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Arshak III,Hovannisian, The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times, Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiquity to the Fourteenth Century, p.94 also known as Arsaces III or Arsak IIIHovannisian, The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times, Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiquity to the Fourteenth Century, p.92 (flourished 4th century) was an Arsacid prince who served as a Roman client king of Armenia from 378 until 387. Arshak III is often known as the last serving Roman client king of Armenia. During his reign, the part of Armenia that Arshak III governed was under Roman Empire from the Peace of Acilisene.
Arshak III was the namesake of his paternal grandfather and several of his Arsacid ancestors. Arshak III was born at an unknown date during his father's reign and was raised in Armenia. Following the assassination of his father in 374, as Arshak III and his brother were too young to rule, the Roman emperor Valens sent their paternal first cousin Varazdat to occupy the Armenian throne. Their cousin had lived in Ancient Rome for an unknown period of time. Varazdat began his rule under the regency of Mushegh I Mamikonian, whose family was pro-Roman.
To end the political anarchy in the country, as Manuel was now the powerful regent-in-charge of Armenia, he married Arsaces III to his daughter VardandukhtFaustus of Byzantium, History of the Armenians, Book V, Chapter 44 and Vologases to the daughter of Sahak from the Bagratuni dynasty.Kurkjian, A History of Armenia, p.107 The Mamikonian government brought peace and stability to Armenia, as Manuel guided the country wisely.Topchyan, The Problem of the Greek Sources of Movses Xorenac’i’s History of Armenia, p.42 Manuel treated Arshak III, Vologases and Zarmandukht with honor.Topchyan, The Problem of the Greek Sources of Movses Xorenac’i’s History of Armenia, p.42 He brought up Arshak III and VologasesAdalian, Historical Dictionary of Armenia, p.xxxiii and nurtured them as if they were his own children.Topchyan, The Problem of the Greek Sources of Movses Xorenac’i’s History of Armenia, p.42
Arshak III, like his predecessors, aggressively pursued policies based on Christianity Arianism.Terian, Patriotism And Piety In Armenian Christianity: The Early Panegyrics On Saint Gregory, p.18 In 386, Vologases died without leaving an heir and Arshak III became the sole ruler of Armenia. As Manuel Mamikonian died at the same time as Vagharshak did, the authority of Arshak III became lessened by the Sassanid Empire from Persia of Armenia. In 387, the last year of his kingship, Arshak III resided in Ekeghiats (Ekeleac’), in Western Armenia,Hovannisian, The Armenian People From Ancient to Modern Times, Volume I: The Dynastic Periods: From Antiquity to the Fourteenth Century, p.92 as he then ruled only Western Armenia along a line from Erzurum to Mush. Around the year 390 Arshak died without leaving an heir. Western Armenia was annexed to and became a province of the Byzantine Empire. Eastern Armenia was annexed by the Sassanid Empire and the subsequent ruling Arsacid monarchs in Eastern Armenia became client kings of Armenia under Sassanid rule.
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