The Wounding of Gaius Caesar
Pencil on paper, 2022
In 2 AD, the grandson of Augustus Caesar, Gaius, arrived in Armenia, to install a new king, Ariobarzanes II. The Armenians being “fiery and proud, refused to acknowledge Ariobarzanes II as their new King, especially as he was a foreigner in their country. The Armenians, instigated by Parthians, revolted against Rome under the leadership of a local Armenian rebel named Addon. Gaius was compelled to invade Armenia to impose the will of Augustus and put down the rebellion. Addon eventually barricaded himself in the city of Artagigarta. After Gaius laid siege to the city, Addon invited Gaius into the fortress to speak with him. It proved to be a trick, Addon struck him with a sword in a surprise move and Gaius was wounded in the confrontation. He had to be carried away by his outraged lieutenants. His forces promptly laid siege to the city and captured the fortress after intense fighting. At first the wound did not seem serious and he was able to complete the pacification of Armenia, and proclaimed Ariobarzanes II the new King of Armenia.
After leaving Armenia, he was entirely prostrated by the effects of his wound, had resigned his command, and withdrawn to Syria from where he informed Augustus that he had no further desire to take part in public life. The eastern campaign had proven severe: his health was weak and his mental balance unstable. At the age of twenty-three, the young Gaius on whom the Emperor had placed his entire hopes to continue his legacy as heir and sole hope of prosperity for Rome, had been demoralized by an unhealing wound inflicted by and Armenian rebel, and abandoned all prospects of reputation and power in a wild fit of despair and fear. He was also depressed upon news of the death of his brother Lucius a year ago. Gaius died in a little Lycian town from complications of his wound on 21 February 4 AD.
