The Upper Tigris Region between Rome, Iran, and Armenia

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview the geopolitical status Upper Tigris area in antiquity, with a special focus on period between ca. 401 BCE and 6th century CE. Despite popular impression that had distinctly Armenian character, closer look at its history shows it was rather territory many local entities neighboring countries periodically fought possess. This strategically significant as transit region located crossroads important long-distance communication lines. Likewise, natural resources were undoubtedly crucial countries. Indeed, powerful neighbors around area, including Armenia, Iranian kingdoms Parthians Sasanians, Rome, sought control which often fringes their states such inevitably doomed be contested by these empires onmany occasions. situation can acutely seen conflict Rome when northern Mesopotamia became real battleground competing empires. In particular, will sketch development several small region—Sophene, Osrhoene, Gordyene, Adiabene.