Cambysene was a region first attested in the Geographica ("Geography") of the ancient geographer and historian Strabo (64/3 BC – c. 24 AD).
[1] According to the Iranologist Ernst Herzfeld (1879–1948) both the Cyrus and Cambyses rivers as well as the Old Persian names Kuruš and Kambūjiya were derived from two ethnic groups; although considered to be an attractive assumption, Herzfeld's hypothesis is viewed as doubtful by Marie Louise Chaumont.
[2] The precise boundaries of Cambysene are difficult to demarcate, but it is known that it constituted a border land between Armenia, Iberia and Caucasian Albania at the time of the 65 BC Roman military campaign in the region led by the general and statesman Pompey.
[1] Cambysene remained part of Armenia until it was conquered by Caucasian Albania, most likely after Tigranes was defeated in 69 BC by the Romans at the Battle of Tigranocerta.
[1] At the turn of the 9th century, together with Shaki to the east, it comprised an extensive territory over which the Armenian Smbateans held sway as vassals of the more powerful Bagratid dynasty.