Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Abgarus

A'BGARUS, A'CBARUS, or AU'GARUS (Ἄβγαρος, Ἄκβαρος, Ἀυγαρος), a name common to many rulers of Edessa, the capital of the district of Osrhoëne in Mesopotamia. It seems to have been a title and not a proper name. (Procop. Bell. Pers. ii. 12.) For the history of these kings see Bayer, " Historia Osrhoëna et Edessena ex nummis illustrata," Petrop. 1734. Of these the most important are:

1. The ally of the Romans under Pompey, who treacherously drew Crassus into an unfavorable position before his defeat. He is called Augarus by Dion Cassius (xl. 20), Acbarus the phylarch of the Arabians in the Parthian history ascribed to Appian (p. 34. Schw.), and Ariamnes by Plutarch. (Crass. 2.)

2. The contemporary of Christ. See the following article.

3. The chief, who resisted Meherdates, whom Claudius wished to place on the Parthian throne: he is called a king of the Arabians by Tacitus (Tac. Ann. xii. 12. 14), but was probably an Osrhoënian.

4. The contemporary of Trajan, who sent presents to that emperor when he invaded the east, and subsequently waited upon him and became his ally. (Dion. Cass. lxviii. 18. 21.)

5. The contemporary of Caracalla, who acted cruelly towards his nation, and was deposed by Caracalla. (Dion Cass. lxxvii. 12.)