Appian of Alexandria, an ancient Roman historian of Greek origin, is known for his 24 books of Roman History written in Greek. Unfortunately, only a few of these books have survived to the present day. However, the preface, in which Appian outlines the borders of the Roman Empire and its constituent territories, remains intact. This preface contains valuable information about Lesser and Greater (Great) Armenia, offering insights into the relationship between Rome and Armenia during antiquity.
Appian’s Roman History
Appian’s Roman History is a monumental work that chronicles the history of Rome and its vast empire. Written in Greek, the 24 books cover various aspects of Roman life, politics, and military conquests. As a historian, Appian had access to a wealth of primary sources, which he used to construct a comprehensive and detailed account of Rome’s rise to power and the territories under its control.
Lesser and Greater Armenia
In the preface of his Roman History, Appian refers to Lesser and Greater (Great) Armenia. Lesser Armenia, located in what is now northeastern Turkey, was a smaller, independent kingdom that was eventually absorbed into the Roman Empire. On the other hand, Greater Armenia, situated in the Armenian Highlands, was a larger and more powerful kingdom that maintained a precarious balance between the Roman and Parthian Empires.
Rome and Armenia
Appian’s mention of Lesser and Greater Armenia in his preface sheds light on the complex relationship between Rome and Armenia during antiquity. Both Roman and Parthian empires sought to exert influence over Armenia, with the Armenian kings often finding themselves caught in the middle of geopolitical struggles. While Lesser Armenia was eventually incorporated into the Roman Empire, Greater Armenia managed to maintain a degree of independence despite the pressures from both the Romans and Parthians.
Appian’s Description of Lesser and Greater Armenia
In the preface, Appian describes the geographical layout of the Roman territories, including the relationship between the lands and their neighbors:
“…the neighbors of the inhabitants of Palestine are the Phoenicians by the sea, above the Phoenicians Koile-Syria, and it goes up from the sea to the river Euphrates, then the Palmyrenes, and the desert of the Palmyrenes, adjacent to the Euphrates itself; then the land of the Cilicians adjacent to the Syrians, and the Cappadocians adjacent to the Cilicians, and part of the Armenians, whose country is called Lesser Armenia; near the Euxine Pontus live other Pontic tribes who are subjects of the Romans. The Syrians and Cilicians border on our sea, while the Armenians and the Cappadocians border on the Pontic tribes, and towards the mainland – on the so-called Greater Armenia (ἐπὶ τὴν καλουμένην Ἀρμενίαν μείζονα), over which the Romans do not dominate and do not receive tribute from her, but they [the Romans] indicate to them (δὲ αὐτοῖς) desirable kings for Rome.”
Appian’s Roman History provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient world, particularly the relationship between the Roman Empire and the Armenian kingdoms of Lesser and Greater Armenia. His preface illustrates the complex geopolitical dynamics of the era and offers valuable insights into the territories under Roman control and their connections to Armenia.
Vigen Avetisyan
Image source: Арман Манусаджян с Ar-Man Marasheci
