 Complete the following phrase:  The period of greatest Armenian expansion occurred with Tigranes II The Great; 9555 BC who made it the most powerful state east of Rome, as the various kingdoms of western Anatolia were absorbed into the Roman sphere of influence. He consolidated his influence within Armenia, once again taking over Sophene after deposing Artanes he king. This was the period of the Mithridatic Wars 8863 BC between Pontus, his north western neighbour, and Rome. He formed an alliance with Mithridates VI of Pontus 12063 BC, marrying his daughter Cleopatra. By acquiring Syria, Phoenicia and Cilicia he effectively reduced the Seleucid empire to a rump state. The aggressive behaviour of both Pontus and Armenia inevitably and fatally brought them into conflict with the eastward Roman expansion with the Armenians suffering a decisive defeat at the 