Syrian Influences in the Roman Empire to AD 300

"The study of Syria as a Roman province has been neglected by comparison with equivalent geographical regions such as Italy, Egypt, Greece and even Gaul. It was, however, one of the economic powerhouses of the empire from its annexation until after the empire's dissolution. As such it clearly deserves some particular consideration, but at the same time it was a major contributor to the military strength of the empire, notably in the form of the recruitment of auxiliary regiments, several dozens of which were formed from Syrians. Many pagan gods, such as Jupiter Dolichenus and Jupiter Heliopolitanus Dea Syra, and also Judaism, originated in Syria and reached the far bounds of the empire. This book is a consideration, based on original sources, of the means by which Syrians, whose country was only annexed to the empire in 64 BC, saw their influence penetrate into all levels of society from private soldiers and ordinary citizens to priests and to imperial families."--Provided by publisher Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Map, Figure, and Tables 9 Abbreviations 10 Introduction 12 1 Roman Syria: the Syrian scene 15 The land 15 The land the Romans acquired 16 The Roman province 17 Syrian survival – language and gods 20 The Roman army 26 Roman citizens 29 Syrian antipathy towards Rome 30 Syrians abroad 31 2 Syrians take over the empire 36 Emperors 36 Senators 38 Equites 47 Intellectuals 50 Conclusion 51 3 Syria as a Roman base 56 4 The Roman army in Syria 70 The legions in Syria 71 The auxilia in Syria 80 5 Syrians in the Roman army 88 Auxiliary regiments from the client kingdoms 88 Auxiliary regiments from the cities 109 Other Syrian regiments 132 Reinforcements and other Syrian soldiers outside Syria 143 The third-century army and after 146 6 The export of the gods 157 Palmyrene gods 157 Jews 160 Jupiter Optimus Maximus Heliopolitanus 169 Dea Syra – the Syrian goddess 178 Jupiter Optimus Maximus Dolichenus 183 Other Syrian deities 208 Christianity 211 7 Civilians 227 Egypt 227 Asia Minor 230 Greece and Thrace 231 The northern frontier 232 Italy 232 Africa and Spain 233 Britannia 234 Summary 234 8 Concentrations 237 Egypt 237 Africa, Numidia, and Mauretania 240 Asia Minor 243 Greece 244 Moesia and Thrace 245 Dacia 246 Dalmatia 247 Italy 248 Pannonia 251 Raetia and Noricum 252 Germania 252 Hispania and Gallia 253 Britannia 254 Summary 255 Conclusion: Syrian participation in the Roman Empire 258 Bibliography 266 Index 272 Syria has been neglected as a Roman province by comparison with regions such as Italy, Egypt and Greece. It was, however, an economic powerhouses of the empire from its annexation until after the empire's dissolution; it was a major contributor to the military strength of the empire, notably in the recruitment of auxiliary regiments; many religi