bpv_1079072 - SETIMIUS SEVERUS and ABGAR VIII THE GREAT Unité

SETIMIUS SEVERUS and ABGAR VIII THE GREAT

(179-214)

Edessa, founded by Seleucus I, was the capital of the Kingdom of Osrhoene which became independent at the end of the 2nd century BC. During the first two centuries of the Roman Empire, it had been a buffer or client kingdom between Rome and the Parthians. Lucius Verus, after having crushed the Parthians, restored Manu VIII Philoromaios (the friend of the Romans) in 167 after having driven out Wael (163-165), installed by Vologèse IV, (147-191), king of the Parthians. Manu's son, Abgar VIII Soter, succeeded his father in 179. Christian sympathies are lent to him because a small cross appears on certain tiaras of his coinage. On the death of Abgar VIII, loyal to the Romans, his son became king in 214 under the name of Abgar IX Severus. The latter was deposed by Caracalla two years later at the start of the Parthian War.