Mesopotamia (Roman province)
In 113, the Roman emperor Trajan launched a war against Rome's long-time eastern rival, the Parthian Empire. By 114, he conquered Armenia and made it into a province. The end of 115 saw him conquer northern Mesopotamia. This territory was organized as a province in early 116 when coins were minted to celebrate the achievement. Later that same year, Trajan marched into central and southern Mesopotamia. He enlarged the province and completed its boundaries across the river Tigris to Adiabene. He annexed this region into another Roman province called Assyria. In the last months of 116, he captured the Persian city of Susa. He deposed the Parthian king Osroes I and placed his own puppet ruler Parthamaspates on the throne. Never again would the Roman Empire advance so far to the east.
Northern Mesopotamia came under Roman control again during the expedition of Lucius Verus between 161 and 166. These lands were not formally organized into provinces but left under local vassal rulers. Roman garrisons remained at Nisibis. Control faced threats in 195 during civil war between Septimius Severus and the usurper Pescennius Niger. Rebellions broke out in the area while Nisibis was besieged. Severus quickly restored order and organized Osroene as a full province. Next, Severus embarked on a war against Parthia which he concluded successfully with the sack of the Parthian capital Ctesiphon. In emulation of Trajan, he re-established a province of Mesopotamia in 198. Nisibis was elevated to the status of a full colonia and became its capital. Unlike Trajan's province, this new territory was limited between Osroene to the south and the Euphrates and Tigris rivers to the north. The river Chaboras marked the eastern boundary.
For the remainder of its existence, the province would remain a bone of contention between Romans and their eastern neighbors. It suffered heavily in recurrent Roman, Persian Wars. In the turmoil following the Year of the Six Emperors, Ardashir I attacked and overran the area between 239 and 243. He founded the new Sassanid Empire which replaced the moribund Parthians. Timesitheus recovered the region before his death in 243. During the 250s, Persian shah Shapur I attacked Mesopotamia. He fought with Roman emperor Valerian whom he captured at Edessa in 260. Odaenathus of Palmyra took a stand against Shapur the next year. Shapur eventually retreated from the conflict.
Under reforms of Diocletian and Constantine I, the province became part of the Diocese of the East. This diocese was subordinated to the praetorian prefecture of the East. Nisibis and Singara were lost after the debacle of Julian's Persian expedition in 363. The capital transferred to Amida while the seat of military commander dux Mesopotamiae moved to Constantina. Other cities included Martyropolis and Kephas. The attendance list of the First Council of Nicaea listed bishops of Edessa, Nisibis, Rhesaina, Makedonopolis and Fars. By the time of the council of Constantinople in 381, bishoprics included those of Amida, Constantina and Amaria.
After troubles Roman forces faced in the Anastasian War between 502 and 506, emperor Anastasius I built the fortress of Dara. He constructed it as a counter to Nisibis and as new base for the dux Mesopotamiae. During reforms of Justinian I, the province split up into smaller districts. Northern districts with Martyropolis went to new province of Armenia IV. The remainder divided into two civil and ecclesiastical districts. One region south of Tigris had capital at Amida. Another region of Tur Abdin had capital at Dara. The see of Amida listed eight suffragan bishoprics including Martyropolis, Iggilon, Bolebtina, Arsamosata, Beth Sophanaia, Qidarizon, Hesen Kepha, and Zugmatos. The see of Dara held only three: Reshaina, Tur Abdin, and Menasobion according to Notitia Antiochena from the 580s. Region around Tur Abdin became monastic hotspot including monastery of Qarmin.
The province suffered greatly during near-constant wars with Persia throughout the 6th century. In 573, Persians took Dara though East Romans recovered it under peace of 591. They lost it again to Persians in great war between 602 and 628. Regained afterwards, they lost entire region permanently to Muslim conquests between 633 and 640. Control of the province was fought over between Roman and Sassanian empires until these final losses occurred.
Common questions
When was the Roman province of Mesopotamia first established by Trajan?
The Roman province of Mesopotamia was organized in early 116 when coins were minted to celebrate the achievement. This followed the conquest of northern Mesopotamia at the end of 115 and the subsequent march into central and southern regions later that same year.
Who re-established the province of Mesopotamia after Septimius Severus conquered Parthia?
Emperor Septimius Severus re-established a province of Mesopotamia in 198 following his successful war against Parthia. He elevated Nisibis to the status of a full colonia and made it the capital of this new territory.
Which cities served as capitals for the province of Mesopotamia during the reign of Diocletian and Constantine I?
Nisibis and Singara were lost after Julian's Persian expedition in 363, causing the capital to transfer to Amida while the seat of military commander dux Mesopotamiae moved to Constantina. Other cities included Martyropolis and Kephas within the administrative structure of the Diocese of the East.
When did the Muslim conquests permanently remove control of the province of Mesopotamia from Roman forces?
The entire region was lost permanently to Muslim conquests between 633 and 640 after being regained following the great war between 602 and 628. Control had been fought over between Roman and Sassanian empires until these final losses occurred.
What were the boundaries of the province of Mesopotamia established by Septimius Severus in 198?
This new territory was limited between Osroene to the south and the Euphrates and Tigris rivers to the north. The river Chaboras marked the eastern boundary of the province.