The Abgarid dynasty was a dynasty of Nabataean Arab origin.[1][2] Members of the dynasty, the Abgarids, reigned between 134 BC and 242 AD over Edessa and Osroene in Upper Mesopotamia.[1] Some members of the dynasty bore Iranian names, while others had Arabic names, including Abgar itself.[3] J.B. Segal notes that the names ending in "-u" are "undoubtedly Nabatean".[3] The Abgarid dynasts spoke "a form of Aramaic".[3]
| Abgarid | |
|---|---|
| Country | Edessa, Osroene |
| Founded | 134 BC |
| Current head | Extinct |
| Final ruler | Abgar X Frahad (only in name) |
| Dissolution | 242 AD |
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
edit| King | Reign | 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 VI, 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
edit- ^ a b Ramelli 2018.
- ^ Sartre 2005, p. 500.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Segal 1982, pp. 210–213.
- ^ Sartre 2005, p. 508.
Sources
edit- 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.
- 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.
- Segal, J.B. (1982). "ABGAR". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica, Volume I/2: ʿAbd-al-Hamīd–ʿAbd-al-Hamīd. London and New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul. pp. 210–213. ISBN 978-0-71009-091-1.