Armenian Kingdom of Commagene (a short analysis)

That the ancient kingdom of Commagene was indeed an Armenian kingdom is apparent from depictions found on numerous artifacts.  For example below are two coins of Antiochus I Theos of Commagene who was responsible for constructing the megalithic statues of ancient Armenian deities on mount Nemrut (in today’s Turkey). We can see he is wearing the Armenian Tiara with the coat of arms of the Armenian Artashes (Artaxiad) dynasty, as can equally be observed on the coins of Tigranes the Great of Armenia.

Compare the above coins with the coins of Tigranes the Great depicting the coat of arms of his dynasty (bellow).

From another example bellow we observe a wall relief of Antiochus I Theos of Commagene shaking hands with Vahagn (an Armenian deity often identified as Heracles)

Bellow we can see coins of Artashes (Artaxiad) rulers also depicting Vahagn (Heracles), attesting to their affinity with this particular deity.

Yet another set of coins of Commagene reveal more similarities. Below are the coins of  Epiphanes and Callinucus of Commagene (sons of Antiochus IV, 72 AD), bearing the symbol of royal Armenia (an Armenian Tiara).

 
For the sake of comparison below we can see two Roman coins depicting symbols of Armenia (after Rome conquered Armenia) with a description “Armenia Capta” (Armenia captured). Observe the same symbolic tiara that represented Armenia during these ancient times.