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
CountryEdessa, Osroene
Founded134 BC
Current headExtinct
Final rulerAbgar X Frahad (only in name)
Dissolution242 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

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Kings of Edessa/Osroene
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

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  1. ^ a b Ramelli 2018.
  2. ^ Sartre 2005, p. 500.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Segal 1982, pp. 210–213.
  4. ^ Sartre 2005, p. 508.

Sources

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  • 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.