Abgarid dynasty
| Abgarid | |
|---|---|
| Country | Edessa, Osroene |
| Founded | 134 BC |
| Current head | Extinct |
| Final ruler | Abgar IX Severus (de facto) Abgar X Frahad (only in name) |
| Dissolution | 242 |
The Abgarid dynasty or Abgar dynasty was a dynasty of Nabataean Arab origin.[1][2] Members of the dynasty, the Abgarids, reigned between 134 and 242 over Edessa and Osroene in Upper Mesopotamia, "first a buffer state between Rome and the Parthians and later a vassal state of Rome".[1] Some members of the dynasty bore Iranian names, while others had Arab names.[3] J.B. Segal notes that the names ending in "-u" are "undoubtedly Nabatean".[3] The Abgarid dynasts spoke "a form of Aramaic".[3] Following the Battle of Carrhae (53 BC), members of the dynasty pursued a broadly pro-Parthian policy for about two centuries.[3] At the turn of the 2nd century AD, the Romans turned Osroene into a Roman client state.[3] During Caracalla's reign (r. 198–217), most likely in 214, Abgar IX Severus was deposed and Osroene was incorporated as a Roman province (colonia).[3] Thereafter, Abgarid dynasts only ruled "in name".[3] Abgar X Frahad, the last nominal Abgarid ruler, settled in Rome together with his wife.[3]
Kings of Edessa/Osroene
This is a list of kings of Edessa/Osroene, most of whom were members of the Abgarid dynasty. The list also mentions the non-dynastic rulers of Edessa/Osroene as well as the periods of interregnum. Segal notes: "the early names and dates should be regarded with caution".[3]
| King | Reign (BC) | Consort(s) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aryu | 132–127 BC | - | |
| Abdu, son of Maz'ur | 127–120 BC | - | |
| Fradasht, son of Gebar'u | 120–115 BC | - | |
| Bakru I, son of Fradasht | 115–112 BC | - | |
| Bakru II, son of Bakru | 112–94 BC | - | Ruled alone |
| Bakru II and Ma'nu I | 94 BC | - | Ruled together |
| Bakru II and Abgar I Piqa | 94–92 BC | - | Ruled together |
| Abgar I | 92–68 BC | - | Ruled alone |
| Abgar II, son of Abgar I | 68–53 BC | - | |
| Interregnum | 53–52 BC | - | |
| Ma'nu II | 52–34 BC | - | |
| Paqor | 34–29 BC | - | |
| Abgar III | 29–26 BC | - | |
| Abgar IV Sumaqa | 26–23 BC | - | |
| Ma'nu III Saflul | 23–4 BC | - | |
| Abgar V Ukkama, son of Ma'nu | 4 BC–7 AD | - | 1st tenure |
| Ma'nu IV, son of Ma'nu | 7–13 AD | - | |
| Abgar V Ukkama | 13–50 AD | - | 2nd tenure |
| Ma'nu V, son of Abgar | 50–57 AD | - | |
| Ma'nu VI, son of Abgar | 57–71 AD | - | |
| Abgar IV, son of Ma'nu | 71–91 AD | - | |
| Interregnum | 91–109 AD | - | |
| Abgar VII, son of Ezad | 109–116 AD | - | |
| Interregnum | 116–118 AD | - | |
| Yalur (Yalud) and Parthamaspates | 118–122 AD | - | Ruled together |
| Parthamaspates | 122–123 AD | - | Ruled alone |
| Ma'nu VII, son of Ezad | 123–139 AD | - | |
| Ma'nu VIII, son of Ma'nu | 139–163 AD | - | First tenure |
| Wa'el, son of Sahru | 163–165 AD | - | Installed by the Parthians |
| Ma'nu VIII, son of Ma'nu | 165–177 AD | - | Second tenure |
| Abgar VIII the Great, son of Ma'nu | 177–212 AD | - | |
| Abgar IX Severus, son of Abgar | 212–214 AD | - | Deposed by the Romans; Osroene incorporated as a Roman province (colonia)[4][3] |
| Ma'nu IX, son of Ma'nu | 214–240 AD | - | Ruled only in name |
| Abgar X Frahad, son of Ma'nu | 240–242 AD | - | Ruled only in name |
References
- ^ a b Ramelli 2018.
- ^ Sartre 2005, p. 500.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Segal 1982, pp. 210–213.
- ^ Sartre 2005, p. 508.
Sources
- Ramelli, Ilaria L.E. (2018). "Abgarids". In Hunter, David G.; van Geest, Paul J.J.; Peerbolte, Bert Jan Lietaert (eds.). Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online. doi:10.1163/2589-7993_EECO_SIM_00000012.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Sartre, Maurice (2005). "The Arabs and the desert peoples". In Bowman, Alan K.; Garnsey, Peter; Cameron, Averil (eds.). The Cambridge Ancient History: Volume 12, The Crisis of Empire, AD 193-337. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521301992.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Segal, J.B. (1982). "ABGAR". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. I, Fasc. 2. pp. 210–213.
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