Siege of Edessa (163)

Roman–Parthian War of 161–166
Part of the Roman–Parthian War of 161–166
Date163
Location
Result Parthian victory; Edessa taken by the Parthians and Wa'el installed as puppet ruler of Edessa/Osroene
Belligerents
Roman Empire
pro-Roman Edessans
Parthian Empire
pro-Parthian Edessans
Commanders and leaders
Lucius Verus
Ma'nu VIII, son of Ma'nu VII
Vologases IV
Wa'el, son of Sahru

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]

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