Osrhoene

• Osroene was a Roman Client Kingdom located in southeastern Turkey and eastern Syria.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • Known as Osrhoene or Edessa (modern Urfa, Turkey) after its capital, Edessa.
  • It was part of the Greek Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE) until 136 BCE.
  • Between 132 BCE – 244 CE, the Kingdom of Osrhoene existed as an independent Kingdom ruled by the Abgarid Dynasty of Arab Nabatean descent, some had Nabatean names whilst others had Persian names .
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 116 CE Trajan ordered Lucius Quietus to invade Osrhoene. He sacked Edessa ending its independence.
  • 125 CE Hadrian restored Osrhoene to a Roman Client Kingdom.
• Timeline of this Province:
  • After the Parthian Empire collapsed in 244 CE, Osrhoene was divided between Rome and the new Sassanid Empire.
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • Osrhoene came under the Diocese of Oriens.
• After Death of Theodosius (395 CE):
• Famous Persons from this Province:
• Chief archeological Finds:
  • Edessa (modern Urfa, Turkey).
• Historic Battle Sites:
  • 260 CE Battle of Edessa
    • Where the Roman Emperor Valerian and his entire army were captured.
  • 363 CE Osrhoene troops accompanied Julian to Ctesiphon.
• Main Historical Sources for this Province:

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Edessa (Sanliurfa, Turkey)
• Chief Cities:
• Location Today:
  • Southeastern Turkey and eastern Syria, the Euphrates formed it’s western border.
  • A tributary, the Khabur, formed the eastern border, and Frontier with Persia.
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • To the West: Syria
    To the North: Commagene and Sophene.
• Climate and Temperature Today:
• Main Rivers:
  • Euphrates and its tributary, the Khabur
• Mountain Ranges:
• Islands:

3. Political Organisation

• Imperial/ Senatorial Province
  • Imperial
• Praefect/ Procurator/ Legate List:
• Tribes and Population:
• Language:
  • Syriac

4. Military Organisation

• Legions:
• Navy:
• Defensive Works:
• Main Threats:

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
• Agriculture and Fishing:
• Manufacturing:
• Mines:
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
• Waterways:
• Ports:
• Ancient Trade Routes:
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

• Osrhoene was a Buffer State between the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire, having frontiers with both.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

• Osrhoene had a long history of Christianity, starting with King Abgar IX (179-186 CE), who was the first Christian King of Edessa.

Osrohene (Edessa) (Sanliurfa), Turkey)