Roman Syria

Quick Facts: Who was Roman Syria?

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Roman Syria

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Ancient Roman province spanning modern Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon; a vital strategic hub.

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Origins & Early Life

Roman Syria was an early Roman province annexed to the Roman Republic in 64 BCE by Pompey in the Third Mithridatic War following the defeat of the King of Armenia, Tigranes the Great, who had become the protector of the Seleucid Empire. The last few centuries of Roman Syria, before the region's incorporation into the Rashidun Caliphate, are called Late antique Syria. Following the partition of the Herodian kingdom into the Tetrarchy in 4 BCE, it was gradually absorbed into Roman provinces, with Roman Syria annexing the northern tetrarch's territory: Iturea and Trachonitis. By the late 2nd century, the province was divided into Coele Syria and Syria Phoenice. Syria was annexed to the Roman Republic in 64 BC, when Pompey the Great had the Seleucid king Antiochus XIII Asiaticus executed and deposed his successor Philip II Philoromaeus.

Career & Major Achievements

Pompey appointed Marcus Aemilius Scaurus to the post of governor of Syria. Following the fall of the Roman Republic and its transformation into the Roman Empire, Syria became a Roman imperial province, governed by a legatus (legate). During the early empire, the Roman army in Syria accounted for three legions with auxiliaries who defended the border with Parthia. In 6 AD, Emperor Augustus deposed the ethnarch Herod Archelaus and united Judea, Samaria and Idumea into the Roman province of Judea; such province was placed under the direct authority of the Legate of Syria Publius Sulpicius Quirinius, who appointed Coponius as Prefect of Judea. Following the death of Herod Philip II (34 AD) and the removal of Herod Antipas (39 AD) Ituraea, Trachonitis, Galilee and Perea were also transferred under the jurisdiction of the province of Syria.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

From 37 to 41 AD, much of the southern region was separated from Syria and transformed into a client kingdom under Herod Agrippa I. After Agrippa's death, his kingdom was gradually re-absorbed into the Roman Empire, until it was officially transformed into a Roman province following the death of Herod Agrippa II. Syrian province forces were directly engaged in the First Jewish–Roman War of 66–70 AD. In 66 AD, Cestius Gallus, legate of Syria, brought the Syrian army, based on Legio XII Fulminata, reinforced by auxiliary troops, to restore order in Judaea and quell the revolt. The legion, however, was ambushed and destroyed by Jewish rebels at the Battle of Beth Horon, a result that shocked the Roman leadership. The future emperor Vespasian was then put in charge of subduing the Jewish revolt.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Roman Syria

True or False: “The region of Roman Syria was never subjected to significant military setbacks before the rise of the Sasanian Empire.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Roman Syria suffered major defeats in 252/253 and 259/260 when Persian King Shapur I destroyed field armies and captured emperors.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Romani Holocaust — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The Porajmos: The systematic genocide of European Roma and Sinti people by Nazi Germany.
• Romanian nationalism — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A political movement asserting the identity and cultural unity of Romanians.
• Romanian revolution — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The violent popular uprising in December 1989 that ended Communist rule in Romania.
• Romanian War of Independence — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The phase of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78) leading to Romania's recognition as an independent state.
• Romanians — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A Romance-speaking nation native to Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.
• Romanos the Melodist — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Central Byzantine hymnographer and composer, known for Kontakion poetry.

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