Abgarid dynasty


The Abgarid dynasty or Abgar dynasty was a dynasty of Nabataean Arab origin. Members of the dynasty, the Abgarids, reigned between 134 and 242 over Edessa and Osroene in Upper Mesopotamia, "first a buffer state between Rome and the Parthians and later a vassal state of Rome". Some members of the dynasty bore Iranian names, while others had Arab names. J.B. Segal notes that the names ending in "-u" are "undoubtedly Nabatean". The Abgarid dynasts spoke "a form of Aramaic". Following the Battle of Carrhae, members of the dynasty pursued a broadly pro-Parthian policy for about two centuries. At the turn of the 2nd century AD, the Romans turned Osroene into a Roman client state. During Caracalla's reign, most likely in 214, Abgar IX Severus was deposed and Osroene was incorporated as a Roman province. Thereafter, Abgarid dynasts only ruled "in name". Abgar X Frahad, the last nominal Abgarid ruler, settled in Rome together with his wife.

Kings of Edessa/Osroene

This is a list of kings of Edessa/Osroene, most of whom were members of the Abgarid dynasty. The list also mentions the non-dynastic rulers of Edessa/Osroene as well as the periods of interregnum. Segal notes: "the early names and dates should be regarded with caution".
KingReign ConsortComments
Aryu132–127 BC-
Abdu, son of Maz'ur127–120 BC-
Fradasht, son of Gebar'u120–115 BC-
Bakru I, son of Fradasht115–112 BC-
Bakru II, son of Bakru112–94 BC-Ruled alone
Bakru II and Ma'nu I94 BC-Ruled together
Bakru II and Abgar I Piqa94–92 BC-Ruled together
Abgar I92–68 BC-Ruled alone
Abgar II, son of Abgar I68–53 BC-
Interregnum53–52 BC-
Ma'nu II52–34 BC-
Paqor34–29 BC-
Abgar III29–26 BC-
Abgar IV Sumaqa26–23 BC-
Ma'nu III Saflul23–4 BC-
Abgar V Ukkama, son of Ma'nu4 BC–7 AD-1st tenure
Ma'nu IV, son of Ma'nu7–13 AD-
Abgar V Ukkama13–50 AD-2nd tenure
Ma'nu V, son of Abgar50–57 AD-
Ma'nu VI, son of Abgar57–71 AD-
Abgar IV, son of Ma'nu71–91 AD-
Interregnum91–109 AD-
Abgar VII, son of Ezad109–116 AD-
Interregnum116–118 AD-
Yalur and Parthamaspates118–122 AD-Ruled together
Parthamaspates122–123 AD-Ruled alone
Ma'nu VII, son of Ezad123–139 AD-
Ma'nu VIII, son of Ma'nu139–163 AD-First tenure
Wa'el, son of Sahru163–165 AD-Installed by the Parthians
Ma'nu VIII, son of Ma'nu165–177 AD-Second tenure
Abgar VIII the Great, son of Ma'nu177–212 AD-
Abgar IX Severus, son of Abgar212–214 AD-Deposed by the Romans; Osroene incorporated as a Roman province
Ma'nu IX, son of Ma'nu214–240 AD-Ruled only in name
Abgar X Frahad, son of Ma'nu240–242 AD-Ruled only in name