Beate Dignas & Engelbert Winter - Kaveh Farrokh

Euphrates
Edessa
Sophe - ne -
Carrhae
Anzite - ne -
Callinicum
Trans-Tigritanian regions/nations
17 The peace treaty of 298 127
Arsamosata
Ingile - ne -
Amida
Rhesaina
O s r h o e n e
Asthiane - ne -
Ziata
Balabite - ne -
Sophane - ne -
Nymchios
M e s o p o t a m i a
Nisibis
Circesium
Martyropolis
Chabo - ras
Arsanias
Arzane - ne -
Rehime - ne -
Bezabde
Singara
Map 8: The ‘Trans-Tigritania’
Moxoe - ne -
Armenia
Kardue - ne -
Zabdike - ne -
Mosul
Tigris
0 50 100 km
Ancient authors of the fourth century, who talk about contemporary affairs
along the border, refer to the Tigris as the actual borderline. 40 The Romans
withdrew to the western banks of the Tigris; in 298 they refrained from constructing
a ‘proper limes’ beyond the Tigris but were content with securing
strategically important passes. 41
Accordingly, the regions beyond the Tigris which were ceded to Rome
in 298 did not become new provinces of the Roman Empire but continued
to be administered and ruled by Armenian noble families, who, however,
were responsible to Rome. 42 Diocletian would not have envisaged a permanent
territorial gain for the Roman Empire and left things as they were in
40 Amm. xviii.5.3 and 6.9; Iul. Or. 1.22 b–c. 41 Honigmann 1935: 6–16.
42 On the administrative structures and the legal status of these Roman–Armenian satrapies and on
the special role of the Armenian satraps see Enßlin 1942: 80–3.