Siege of Edessa (163)

Roman–Parthian War of 161–166
Part of the Roman–Parthian War of 161–166
Date 163 Location Edessa, Osroene (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey) 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. Ma'nu VIII (son of Ma'nu VII), the legitimate king, was forced to flee to the Romans.

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. During his short tenure, Wa'el issued coins with the portrait of the Parthian king.

Sources

• Drijvers, H. J. W. (1980). Cults and Beliefs at Edessa. Brill. ISBN 978-9004060500.
• Sartre, Maurice (2005). Porter, Catherine; Rawlings, Elizabeth (eds.). The Middle East Under Rome. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0674016835.
• Segal, J.B. (1982). "ABGAR". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. I, Fasc. 2. pp. 210–213.