Siege of Edessa (163)

Siege to Edessa
Part of the Roman–Parthian War of 161–166
Date 163 Location Edessa, Osroene (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey) Result Parthian victory
Belligerents
Roman Empire	Parthian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Lucius Verus	Vologases IV

The siege of Edessa took place in 163 when the Parthian Empire, under Vologases IV, besieged the city of Edessa, held by the Roman Empire.

The Parthians captured Edessa and installed Wa'el (son of Sahru) as puppet king. ^{[1] [2]} Ma'nu VIII (son of Ma'nu VII), the legitimate king, was forced to flee to the Romans. ^[3]

Wa'el would rule Edessa/Osroene as a Parthian subject from 163 to 165, when the Romans regained possession of the city and reinstalled Ma'nu VIII on the throne. ^{[1] [2]} During his short tenure, Wa'el issued coins with the portrait of the Parthian king. ^[2]

References

1. Drijvers 1980, p. 13.
2. Segal 1982, pp. 210–213.
3. Sartre 2005, p. 146.

Sources

• Drijvers, H. J. W. (1980). Cults and Beliefs at Edessa. Brill. ISBN   978-9004060500.
• Sartre, Maurice (2005). Porter, Catherine; Rawlings, Elizabeth (eds.). The Middle East Under Rome. Harvard University Press. ISBN   978-0674016835.
• Segal, J.B. (1982). "ABGAR". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. I, Fasc. 2. pp. 210–213.