Manesus (also spelled Manesos; fl. first half of the 2nd century AD) was a Parthian prince, who served as military governor and official (strategos and bidaxsh) of Parthian-ruled Mesopotamia and Parapotamia, in addition to being the ruler of the Arabs (arabarch) who lived in those areas. He was also collector of customs (παρ[αλή](πτου); perhaps a derivation of Iranian păhrbed).[1] He held these posts during the reign of King Vologases III (r.110–147).

Manesus was the son of the Parthian King Phraates and was active in the aftermath of Trajan's Parthian campaign.[2] He is attested in a Greek parchment from Dura-Europos (in modern-day Syria), dated to 120/1 AD (Μανήσου τοῦ Φραάτου τῶν Βατησα καὶ τ[ῶν] / [ἐλεύθε]ρων παρ[αλή](πτου) καὶ στρατηγοῦ Μεσοποταμίας καὶ Παραποταμίας καὶ ἀραβάρχου).[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Shayegan, M. Rahim (2017). "Persianism: Or Achaemenid Reminiscences in the Iranian and Iranicate World(s) of Antiquity". In Strootman, Rolf; Versluys, Miguel John (eds.). Persianism in Antiquity. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag. pp. 410–412.
  2. ^ Benjamin, Craig (2018). Empires of Ancient Eurasia: The First Silk Roads Era, 100 BCE – 250 CE. Cambridge University Press. p. 171.