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).
Ariobarzanes III of Cappadocia Ariobarzanes III of Cappadocia Ariobarzanes III, surnamed "Eusebes Philorhomaios", "Pious and Friend of the Romans" (, Ariobarzánēs Eusebḗs Philorōmaíos), was the king of Kingdom of Cappadocia from ca. 51 BC until 42 BC. He was of Persian and Greek ancestry. The Roman Senate agreed that he was to be the successor of his father, Ariobarzanes II of Cappadocia; Cicero, Roman governor of Cilicia, noted that he was surrounded by enemies who included his mother, Athenais. Originally highly supportive of Pompey despite the cost, he was maintained in his position after Julius Caesar won the civil war in Rome, even gaining