{"slug": "edessa", "label": "Edessa", "wikipedia": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edessa", "wikidata": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1190403", "qid": "Q1190403", "description": "ancient city in upper Mesopotamia, modern day Urfa, Southeast Turkey", "entries": 34, "years": 34, "span": [-302, 1182], "span_label": ["303 BCE", "1182 CE"], "topics": [{"title": "Conflict & Security", "count": 16}, {"title": "Religion & Belief", "count": 6}, {"title": "Climate & Environment", "count": 5}, {"title": "Deaths", "count": 3}, {"title": "Exploration & Expansion", "count": 2}, {"title": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "count": 1}, {"title": "Health & Medicine", "count": 1}], "also_known_as": ["Edessa, Mesopotamia"], "related": [{"slug": "syria", "label": "Syria", "shared": 5}, {"slug": "turkey", "label": "Turkey", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "euphrates", "label": "Euphrates", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "nusaybin", "label": "Nusaybin", "shared": 3}, {"slug": "aleppo", "label": "Aleppo", "shared": 3}, {"slug": "amida-mesopotamia", "label": "Amida (Mesopotamia)", "shared": 3}, {"slug": "arabbyzantine-wars", "label": "Arab–Byzantine wars", "shared": 3}, {"slug": "upper-mesopotamia", "label": "Upper Mesopotamia", "shared": 3}, {"slug": "antioch", "label": "Antioch", "shared": 2}, {"slug": "sasanian-empire", "label": "Sasanian Empire", "shared": 2}, {"slug": "damascus", "label": "Damascus", "shared": 2}, {"slug": "crusader-states", "label": "Crusader states", "shared": 2}], "items": [{"year": -302, "year_label": "303 BCE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Seleucus refounds the town of Orrhoa in northern Mesopotamia as a military colony and mixes Greek settlers with its eastern population. He names Edessa in memory of the ancient capital of Macedon.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354172932#Seleucid_Empire", "title": "303 BC", "revid": 1354172932, "section": "Events › By place › Seleucid Empire"}}, {"year": -52, "year_label": "53 BCE", "section": "Deaths", "date": null, "text": "Abgar II, Arab king of Edessa (modern Turkey)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1325862163#Deaths", "title": "53 BC", "revid": 1325862163, "section": "Deaths"}}, {"year": 116, "year_label": "116 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "In summer, rebellious movement emerges in Mesopotamia against Roman occupation. General Lusius Quietus is sent by Trajan to suppress the uprisings, recovering Nisibis, besieging and sacking Edessa, and waging war against local Jews", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1330326275#Roman_Empire", "title": "AD 116", "revid": 1330326275, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 179, "year_label": "179 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Abgar IX the Great becomes King of Edessa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371305494#Asia", "title": "AD 179", "revid": 1371305494, "section": "Events › By place › Asia"}}, {"year": 195, "year_label": "195 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Roman province of Syria is divided and the role of Antioch is diminished. The Romans annex the Syrian cities of Edessa and Nisibis. Severus re-establishes his headquarters and the colonies there.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371314035#Roman_Empire", "title": "AD 195", "revid": 1371314035, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 197, "year_label": "197 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "A Christian council is held in Edessa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371314350#Religion", "title": "AD 197", "revid": 1371314350, "section": "Events › By topic › Religion"}}, {"year": 201, "year_label": "201 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": "November", "text": "November – A flood in Edessa destroys a Christian church, killing over 2,000 people.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1288485584#Religion", "title": "201", "revid": 1288485584, "section": "Events › By topic › Religion"}}, {"year": 204, "year_label": "204 CE", "section": "Climate & Environment", "date": null, "text": "The Daysan River floods Edessa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1262644787#Roman_Empire", "title": "204", "revid": 1262644787, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 212, "year_label": "212 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": null, "text": "Edessa in Mesopotamia becomes a Roman province.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371186817#Roman_Empire", "title": "212", "revid": 1371186817, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 232, "year_label": "232 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Relics of St. Thomas are brought to Edessa from India.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371191236#Religion", "title": "232", "revid": 1371191236, "section": "Events › By topic › Religion"}}, {"year": 259, "year_label": "259 CE", "section": "Health & Medicine", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Valerian leads an army (70,000 men) to relieve Edessa, besieged by the forces of Persian King Shapur I. An outbreak of a plague kills many legionaries, weakening the Roman position in Syria.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1331138913#Roman_Empire", "title": "259", "revid": 1331138913, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 305, "year_label": "305 CE", "section": "Climate & Environment", "date": null, "text": "The Daysan River floods Edessa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1330171757#Asia", "title": "305", "revid": 1330171757, "section": "Events › By place › Asia"}}, {"year": 411, "year_label": "411 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Rabbula becomes bishop of Edessa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367645014#Religion", "title": "AD 411", "revid": 1367645014, "section": "Events › By topic › Religion"}}, {"year": 415, "year_label": "415 CE", "section": "Climate & Environment", "date": "March 18", "text": "March 18 – The Daysan River floods Edessa, Mesopotamia.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367501934#Asia", "title": "415", "revid": 1367501934, "section": "Events › By place › Asia"}}, {"year": 435, "year_label": "435 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Ibas is elected bishop of Edessa. He becomes associated with the growth of Nestorianism and openly preaching heretical doctrines in public.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1339038049#Religion", "title": "435", "revid": 1339038049, "section": "Events › By topic › Religion"}}, {"year": 457, "year_label": "457 CE", "section": "Deaths", "date": "October 28", "text": "October 28 – Ibas, bishop of Edessa (modern Turkey)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367050070#Deaths", "title": "457", "revid": 1367050070, "section": "Deaths"}}, {"year": 503, "year_label": "503 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "War with Sassanid Persia: Emperor Anastasius I sends a Byzantine army (52,000 men) to Armenia, but is defeated. The Romans attempt an unsuccessful siege of the Persian-held city Amida, on the Tigris. King Kavadh I invades Osroene, and lays siege to the city of Edessa (Northern Mesopotamia).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364904019#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "503", "revid": 1364904019, "section": "Events › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 506, "year_label": "506 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "November", "text": "November – Emperor Anastasius I accepts a peace agreement with the Sasanian Empire (Persia), based on the status quo. He upgrades the fortifications at Batnae, Edessa and Amida (Northern Mesopotamia).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364757912#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "506", "revid": 1364757912, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 525, "year_label": "525 CE", "section": "Climate & Environment", "date": null, "text": "The Daisan river, tributary of the Euphrates, floods Edessa, and within a couple of hours fills the entire city except for the highest parts. Eventually the pent-up waters break through the city walls. The Shroud of Turin is allegedly discovered during the rebuilding of the city (see Image of Edessa).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340792024#Asia", "title": "525", "revid": 1340792024, "section": "Events › By place › Asia"}}, {"year": 526, "year_label": "526 CE", "section": "Deaths", "date": "October 30", "text": "October 30 – Paul of Edessa, Syriac Orthodox bishop of Edessa", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364754141#Deaths", "title": "526", "revid": 1364754141, "section": "Deaths"}}, {"year": 541, "year_label": "541 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Jacob Baradaeus becomes bishop of Edessa (approximate date).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1299131059#Religion", "title": "541", "revid": 1299131059, "section": "Events › By topic › Religion"}}, {"year": 543, "year_label": "543 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Summer – Khosrow I, Shahanshah of the Sasanian Empire, invades Syria again, and turns south towards Edessa to besiege the fortress city.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340799598#Persia", "title": "543", "revid": 1340799598, "section": "Events › By place › Persia"}}, {"year": 602, "year_label": "602 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Persian War: King Khosrau II launches an offensive against Constantinople, to avenge Maurice's death, his \"friend and father\", and tries to reconquer Byzantine territory. Narses, governor of Upper Mesopotamia, rebels against Phocas at the city of Edessa and requests aid from the Persians. Khosrau sends an expeditionary force to Armenia and crosses the Euphrates.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364904263#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "602", "revid": 1364904263, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 638, "year_label": "638 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab-Byzantine War: The invading Rashidun army under Khalid ibn al-Walid moves into Anatolia, conquering (without strong Byzantine resistance) the cities of Kahramanmaraş, Caesarea Cappadociae, Sebastia, and Malatya (west of the Taurus Mountains). Arab forces march into Armenia, where they capture the cities Edessa and Amida up to the Ararat plain.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369557443#Arabian_Empire", "title": "638", "revid": 1369557443, "section": "Events › By place › Arabian Empire"}}, {"year": 944, "year_label": "944 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Byzantine forces are defeated by Sayf al-Dawla. He captures the city of Aleppo, and extends his control over the Al-Jazira–Upper Mesopotamia region. Al-Dawla's rule is recognized by the Ikhshidids. With the recovery of Edessa, the Greeks also obtain the fabled Image of Edessa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341512279#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "944", "revid": 1341512279, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1031, "year_label": "1031 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Byzantine general George Maniakes captures Edessa from the Arab Muslims and stabilizes the eastern frontier.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371210564#Middle_East", "title": "1031", "revid": 1371210564, "section": "Events › By place › Middle East"}}, {"year": 1042, "year_label": "1042 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Arab War: The Byzantines reconquer the fortress city of Edessa (modern Turkey), returning it to Christian hands, after 400 years of Islamic rule (approximate date).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1350130047#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1042", "revid": 1350130047, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1098, "year_label": "1098 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "March 10", "text": "March 10 – Baldwin of Boulogne enters Edessa, and is welcomed as liberator by the Armenian clergy. The local population massacres the Seljuk garrison and officials – or forces them to flee. Baldwin is acknowledged as their ruler (or doux). He assumes the title of count and establishes the first crusader state. Baldwin marries Arda of Armenia, daughter of Lord Thoros of Marash, and consolidates his conquered territory.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362163181#First_Crusade", "title": "1098", "revid": 1362163181, "section": "Events › By place › First Crusade"}}, {"year": 1105, "year_label": "1105 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Autumn – Kilij Arslan I, sultan of the Sultanate of Rum, leads a Seljuk expedition to take over Melitene (modern Turkey). He attempts to capture Edessa, but the Crusader fortress is too strongly defended by its garrison. Kilij Arslan then moves on to Harran, which surrenders to him.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365268232#Seljuk_Empire", "title": "1105", "revid": 1365268232, "section": "Events › By place › Seljuk Empire"}}, {"year": 1110, "year_label": "1110 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Spring – Mawdud ibn Altuntash, Turkic ruler (atabeg) of Mosul, leads an expedition to capture the territories of the Crusaders (belonging to the County of Edessa) east of the river Euphrates. He besieges the fortress city of Edessa, but is forced to retreat when King Baldwin I of Jerusalem (with the support of Armenian forces sent by Kogh Vasil) intervenes with a Crusader relief force.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368871350#Levant", "title": "1110", "revid": 1368871350, "section": "Events › By place › Levant"}}, {"year": 1114, "year_label": "1114 CE", "section": "Climate & Environment", "date": "November 29", "text": "November 29 – A large earthquake damages the areas of the Crusaders in the Middle East. From Antioch and Mamistra to Marash and Edessa are hit by the shocks.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369184492#Earthquake", "title": "1114", "revid": 1369184492, "section": "Events › By topic › Earthquake"}}, {"year": 1146, "year_label": "1146 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Autumn – Siege of Edessa: The Crusaders under Joscelin II recapture Edessa (Northern Syria) from Nur ad-Din, Seljuk ruler of Damascus. After not receiving support from the other Crusader states, Nur ad-Din counter-raids the territory of Antioch but withdraws his forces to retake Edessa in November.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369184470#Levant", "title": "1146", "revid": 1369184470, "section": "Events › By place › Levant"}}, {"year": 1154, "year_label": "1154 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "April 18", "text": "April 18 – Nur al-Din, Seljuk ruler (atabeg) of Aleppo, encamps before Damascus and overthrows Mujir al-Din by force with support of the Jewish citizens, who open the eastern gate to the bulk of his army. Mujir flees to the citadel, but capitulates after only a few hours. He is offered his life and the Emirate of Homs. A few weeks later Mujir is suspected of plotting with old friends in Damascus and is exiled to Baghdad. Damascus is annexed to Zangid territory and all of Syria is unified under the authority of Nur al-Din, from Edessa in the north to the Hauran to the south.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362164172#Levant", "title": "1154", "revid": 1362164172, "section": "Events › By place › Levant"}}, {"year": 1182, "year_label": "1182 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "September", "text": "September – Saladin invades the Jazira Region, ending the truce between him and the Zangids. After a feint attack on Aleppo, he crosses the Euphrates. The towns of the Jazira fall before him; the cities of Edessa, Saruj and Nisibin are captured in October. Saladin presses on to Mosul, and begins the siege of the city on November 10.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362172586#Levant", "title": "1182", "revid": 1362172586, "section": "Events › By place › Levant"}}]}