History Kingdom of Commagene

mithras-helios, in phrygian cap solar rays, antiochus of commagene. (mt nemrut, 1st century bc)

commagene small syro-hittite kingdom, located in modern south-central turkey, capital @ samosata (modern samsat, near euphrates). first mentioned in assyrian texts kummuhu, ally of assyria, annexed province in 708 bc under sargon ii. achaemenid empire conquered commagene in 6th century bc , alexander great conquered territory in 4th century bc. after breakup of empire of alexander great, region became part of hellenistic seleucids, , commagene emerged in 163 bc state , province in greco-syrian seleucid empire.

the hellenistic kingdom of commagene, bounded cilicia on west , cappadocia on north, arose in 162 bc when governor, ptolemy, satrap of disintegrating seleucid empire, declared himself independent. ptolemy s dynasty related parthian kings, descendant mithridates callinicus (109 bc–70 bc) embraced hellenistic culture , married syrian greek princess laodice vii thea. dynasty claim ties both alexander great , persian kings. marriage may have been part of peace treaty between commagene , seleucid empire. point on, kingdom of commagene became more greek persian. sophene, serve important centre transmission of hellenistic , roman culture in region. details sketchy, mithridates callinicus thought have accepted armenian suzerainty during reign of tigranes ii great.

mithridates , laodice’s son king antiochus theos of commagene (reigned 70 –38 bc). antiochus ally of roman general pompey during latter s campaigns against mithridates vi of pontus in 64 bc. diplomatic skills, antiochus able keep commagene independent romans. in 17 when antiochus iii of commagene died, emperor tiberius annexed commagene province of syria. according josephus, move supported local nobility opposed mass of common people, preferred remain under kings before; tacitus, on other hand, states preferred roman, others royal rule .

in 38 ad, caligula reinstated antiochus iii s son antiochus iv , gave him wild areas of cilicia govern. antiochus iv client king of commagene under roman empire. deposed caligula , restored again upon claudius accession in 41, antiochus reigned until 72, when emperor vespasian deposed dynasty , definitively re-annexed territory syria, acting on allegations antiochus revolt romans... reported governor caesennius paetus . legio vi ferrata, paetus led commagene, not resisted populace; day-long battle antiochus sons epiphanes , callinicus ended in draw, , antiochus surrendered. legio iii gallica occupy area 73 ad. 1st-century letter in syriac mara bar serapion describes refugees fleeing romans across euphrates , bemoans romans refusal let refugees return; might describe roman takeover of either 18 or 72.

the descendants of antiochus iv lived prosperously , in distinction in anatolia, greece, italy, , middle east. testament descendants of antiochus iv, citizens of athens erected funeral monument in honor of grandson philopappos, benefactor of city, upon death in 116. descendant of antiochus iv historian gaius asinius quadratus, lived in 3rd century.