Armenians was divided between the Ottomans and the Safavid Empire in Iran. In the Bronze Age, several states flourished in the area of Greater Armenia, including the Hittite Empire (at the height of its power), Mitanni (South-Western historical Armenia), and Hayasa-Azzi (1600–1200 BC). Soon after Hayasa-Azzi came Arme-Shupria (1300s–1190 BC), the Nairi (1400–1000 BC) and the Kingdom of Urartu (860–590 BC), who successively established their sovereignty over the Armenian Highland. Each of the aforementioned nations and tribes participated in the ethnogenesis of the Armenian people. Under Ashurbanipal (669–627 BC), the Assyrian empire reached the Caucasus Mountains (modern Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan).
Laodice of Cappadocia her aunt, the sister of Mithridates V, queen of Cappadocia and regent of her son Ariarathes VI Epiphanes Philopator, Nysa of Cappadocia, died. She has been the wife and later the widower of the previous Cappadocian King Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator. Mithridates V was aware of the turbulent political situation in Cappadocia, which ended in the death of his sister, Nysa. In the mid 120’s BC, he became interested in Cappadocia and wanted to expand Pontian foreign policy in that country. He decided to invade Cappadocia. To fend off any Pontian invasion, Ariarathes VI arranged with Mithridates V to marry