3

On the Wikipedia article for the Palmyrene empire. It shows an image of the empire in 271 that includes territory beyond the Euphrates in Northern Mesopotamia.

However the article mentions nothing about a war with Persia which owned Mesopotamia and this video shows the Palmyrene empire not owning Northern Mesopotamia however that video is by years.

So my question is, did the Palmyrene empire actually own Northern Mesopotamia? If so for how long and also when did it conquer/receive it?

1 Answer 1

6

The Roman Empire had extended beyond the Euphrates since the second century CE.

The Roman province of Mesopotamia had been established by the Emperor Septimius Severus in c 198 CE. (Technically, one might argue that the province was re-established by Septimius Severus, since an earlier province had been established by Trajan, before being given up by his successor, the emperor Hadrian).

Mesopotamia


In 250 CE, Shapur I of the Sasanian Empire invaded Mesopotamia. He fought a series of wars with the Roman emperor Valerian (r. 253–260), who he eventually captured at the Battle of Edessa in 260 CE.

However, the following year, Shapur I suffered a massive defeat at the hands of Odaenathus of Palmyra and his forces were driven out of Mesopotamia.


When Odaenathus' son Vaballathus established the short-lived Palmyrene Empire in 270 (under the regency of his mother, Zenobia), it consisted of most of the eastern Roman provinces, including the (by then reduced from its maximum extent) province of Mesopotamia - and so it did indeed extend beyond the Euphrates.

1
  • I'm an idiot, I just noticed after reading your answer it mentioned Odaenathus in the article and a war with Persia.
    – Khorps
    Oct 29, 2017 at 12:02

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.