Jump to content

Cyrrhus

Coordinates:36°44′39″N36°57′33″E/ 36.74417°N 36.95917°E/36.74417; 36.95917
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromCyrrhus, Syria)
For the city in ancient Macedonia, seeCyrrhus (Macedonia).
Cyrrhus
View of Cyrrhus.
Cyrrhus is located in Syria
Cyrrhus
Shown within Syria
LocationAleppo Governorate,Syria
Coordinates36°44′39″N36°57′33″E/ 36.74417°N 36.95917°E/36.74417; 36.95917
TypeSettlement
History
BuilderSeleucus I Nicator
Founded300 BC
Abandoned13th century CE
Site notes
ConditionIn ruins

Cyrrhus(/ˈsɪrəs/;Greek:Κύρρος,romanized:Kyrrhos) is a city inancient Syriafounded bySeleucus Nicator,one ofAlexander the Great's generals. Other names for the city includeCoricium,Corice,Hagioupolis,Nebi Huri(Arabic:نبي هوري), andKhoros(حوروس,Ḳūrus). Afalse etymologyof the sixth century connects it toCyrus,king of Persia due to the resemblance of the names. The former Roman/Byzantine (arch)bishopric is now a double Catholictitular see.

Location

[edit]

Its ruins are located in northernSyria,near the Turkish border.

It lies about 70 km northwest ofAleppoand 24 km west ofKillis,inTurkey.Cyrrhus was the capital of the extensive district ofCyrrhestica,between the plain ofAntiochandCommagene.

The site of the city is marked by the ruins atKhoros,20 km fromAzaz,Syria, standing near theAfrin Marsyas River,a tributary of theOrontes,which had been banked up by Bishop Theodoret.

History

[edit]

Antiquity

[edit]

The Cyrrhus in Syria was founded bySeleucus Nicatorshortly after 300 BC, and was named after theMacedoniancity ofCyrrhus.Andronicus of Cyrrhusbuilt theTower of the WindsinAthens,but it is not known which Cyrrhus he came from.

It was taken by theArmenian Empirein the 1st century BC, then becameRomanwhenPompeytook Syria in 64 BC. By the 1st century AD, it had become a Roman administrative, military, and commercial center on the trade route betweenAntiochand theEuphrates Rivercrossing atZeugma,and minted its own coinage.[1]It was the base of the Roman legionLegio X Fretensis.[2]TheSassanid Persian Empiretook it several times during the 3rd century. Following these attacks the city became a major point of strategic importance for the Romans, who would rapidly develop and fortify it.[3]

Roman provincial bronze coin from Cyrrhus, Syria minted under Marcus Aurelius

In the 6th century, the city was further embellished and strengthened byByzantine EmperorJustinian,who oversaw work that only added to the Cyrrhus' already incredibly formidable defenses. It was however taken by the Arabs from the Byzantines in 637 AD. It was then known and identified from that time under the name of Qorosh.

Middle Ages

[edit]

In the early 12th century the region was controlled by the ArmenianBagratuntil it came under control of thecounty of Edessain 1117.[4]In 1150, it was captured byNur ad-Din Zangi.Muslim travelers of the 13th and 14th century report it both as a large city and as largely in ruins.[5]

Archaeology

[edit]
The well-preserved Roman amphitheatre is among the largest in Syria.

The city has been excavated by the Lebanese Syrian Archaeological Mission of Cyrrhus.[6]Initial results indicate asquarelayout withHippodamiangrid road planand a central main road withColonnadestypical of theHellenisticeast. The road layout seems to have survived until into theIslamictimes. Remains in Cyrrhus include twoRomanBridges in working order, a dilapidatedtheatreoutside the town and foundations of aBasilicachurchand some city fortifications. In the 6th century aByzantinecitadel was built on the top of the hill behind the theatre.[7]with evidence of Greek and Egyptian influences in the design work.[8] [9]This citadel is still largely unexcavated. Temple of Zeus: The exact date of the city's construction is unknown, as it is attributed to the period of the reign of Seleucus Nicator (312 - 280) BC. Given the importance of the city's location, large military forces were stationed there whose subordination to a city is unknown, and perhaps it was independent of itself. Coins were minted during this period and it was also an important center for the worship of the two gods, Athena, the protector of the great land, and Zeus (the god of the thunderbolt). It is believed that the temple of Zeus stood on top of the mountain next to the city. Syros became a frontier city after the separation of Asia Minor from the Seleucid state, following the Treaty of Apamea in 188 BC, which lost its civilian importance and became a center for assembling armies and securing the strong soldiers of the kings of Antioch. In the year 83 BC, controlled by the king of Armenia, Tigran the Great, chaos spread in its area, until the Romans recaptured it in the year 69 BC.

Ecclesiastical history

[edit]

Cyrrhus became aChristianbishopricat an early date, asuffraganofHierapolis Bambyce,capital andmetropolitan seeof theRoman provinceofEuphratensis.UnderJustinian,it became an autocephalousecclesiastical metropolissubject directly to thePatriarch of Antiochbut without suffragans. Its bishop Syricius was present at theFirst Council of Nicaeain 325. TheArianAbgar (Latinized as Abgarus or Augarus) was at theCouncil of Seleucia(360).Theodoretmentions as another Arian a bishop called Asterius of the time of theRoman EmperorValens(364–378). Isidorus attended theFirst Council of Constantinoplein 381. The most celebrated of the bishops of Cyrrhus is Theodoret himself (423-458), a prolific writer,[10]well known for his rôle in the history ofNestorianism,Eutychianism,andMarcionism.He tells us that his smalldiocese(about forty miles square) contained 800 churches, which supposes a very dense population. In 476, a bishop named Ioannes held a synod againstPeter the Fuller.At the close of that century the bishop was aNestoriannamed Sergius, who was replaced by another of the same name who was of the directly opposite theological opinion, being aJacobite,and was deposed by EmperorJustin Iin 518.Michael the Syrianlists 13 other Jacobite bishops of the see.[11][12][13]

A magnificentbasilicaheld the relics ofSaints Cosmas and Damian,who had sufferedmartyrdomin the vicinity about 283, and whose bodies had been transported to the city, whence it was also called Hagioupolis. Many holy personages, moreover, chieflyhermits,had been or were then living in this territory, among them SaintsAcepsimas,Zeumatius, Zebinas, Polychronius,Maron(the patron of theMaronite Church), Eusebius, Thalassius, Maris, James the Wonder-worker, and others. Bishop Theodoret devoted an entire work to the illustration of their virtues and miracles.[14]

Residential (Arch)Bishops of Cyrrhus

[edit]
Name Dates Churchmanship Notes Picture
Syricius 325 atFirst Council of Nicaea
Abgar 360 Arian at Council of Seleucia (360)
Asterius 364–378 Arian
Isidorus[15][16][17] 381 at First Council of Constantinople
Theodoret of Cyrrhus 423-458
Ioannes 476 held a synod againstPeter the Fuller
Sergius I of Cyrrhus late 5th century[18] Nestorian was deposed byByzantineEmperorJustin I
Sergius II of Cyrrhus.[19] 518 Jacobite exiled about AD 522.[20]
John of Cyrrhus[21] c628 Orthodox???
12 Jacobite Bishops
John of Cyrrhus[21]

The city was taken in the early 11th century by theCrusaderswho made newBishopric,dependent onEdessaunder the nameCoricié.

Titular sees

[edit]

No longer a residential bishopric, Cyrrhus is today listed by theCatholic Churchas atitular see,[22]in two different rite-specific traditions, in theapostolic successionof the Byzantine archdiocese.

Bishops of Crusader Coricié

[edit]

Latin titular see

[edit]

Established no later then asTitular archbishopricof Cyrrhus (Latin) / Cirro (Curiate Italian) / Cyrrhen(sis) (Latin adjective), aliasCyrrhus of the Latins

It has been vacant for decades, having had the following incumbents, of the fitting Archepiscopal rank with an Episcopal (lowest) exception:

  • Carolus Polodig (1713.12.23 – death 1714.07.07), no actual prelature
  • Titular Bishop: John Wallace (1720.04.30 – death 1733.06.30) (bornScotland,UK),Coadjutor Apostolic VicarofScotland(Scotland) (1720.04.30 – 1727.07.23), Coadjutor Apostolic Vicar ofLowland District of Scotland(Scotland) (1727.07.23 – 1733.06.30)
  • Ignazio Nasalli-Ratti(Italian), (1819.12.17 – 1827.06.25), laterCardinal-PriestofSant'Agnese fuori le mura(1827.09.17 – death 1831.12.02)
  • Luca de Cigalla (1832.07.27 – 1847.02.12), first while Bishop ofSantorini(insular Greece) (1828.12.15 – 1847.02.12?not possessed), then as CoadjutorApostolic VicarofConstantinopole(Ottoman Turkey) (1832.07.27 – 1847.02.12 not possessed)
  • Loudovico of St. Teresa Martini (1845.09.30 – death 1883.07.12) while Apostolic Vicar ofVerapoly(British India) (1844.12.07 – 1855.11.10) and as emeritus; previously Titular Bishop ofEuropus(1839.06.07 – 1845.09.30) as Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Verapoly (1839.06.07 – succession 1844.12.07)
  • Nikolaus Adames(1883.11.02 – death 1887.02.13) as emeritus: previously Titular Bishop ofHalicarnassus(1863.03.27 – 1870.09.27 asPro-Vicar Apostolicof Luxembourg (nativeLuxembourg) (1848.05.07 – 1863.03.27) and (promoted) last Vicar Apostolic of Luxembourg (Luxembourg) (1863.03.27 – 1870.09.27); next (see promoted) first Bishop ofLuxembourg(1870.09.27 – retired 1883.09.27)
  • Louis-André Navarre(born France) (1888.08.17 – death 1912.01.17) first asApostolic VicarofMelanesia(insularPapua New Guinea) (1887.05.17 – 1889.05.10), then as Apostolic Vicar ofNew Guinea(mainland Papua New Guinea) (1889.05.10 – 1908.01) and as emeritus; previously Titular Bishop ofPentacomia(1887.05.17 – 1888.08.17)
  • Ludovít Szmrecsányi (1912.03.26 – 1912.08.20) (born Slovakia) as Coadjutor Archbishop ofArchdiocese of Eger(Hungary) (1912.03.26 – succession 1912.08.20); previously Titular Bishop ofMagyddus(1904.11.14 – 1912.03.26) without actual prelature; later Metropolitan Archbishop of above Eger (1912.08.20 –death 1943.01.28)
BIOs to ELABORATE

Maronite titular see

[edit]

No later than 1896 was established theAntiochene riteTitular archbishopricof Cyrrhus / Cirro (Curiate Italian) / Cyrrhen(sis) Maronitarum (Latin adjective), aliasCyrrhus of the Maronites.

In 1956 it was suppressed, having had only these incumbents, both of the fitting Archiepiscopal (intermediate) rank and without actual prelature:

  • Joseph Estefan (1896.09.24 – death 1915.07.04)
  • Elia Scedid (1926.06.21 – death 1950.01.18) (born Lebanon).
[edit]
  • Roman-era theater building
    Roman-era theater building
  • Ruins of North Cyrrhus
    Ruins of North Cyrrhus
  • Ruins of the southern gate of Cyrrhus
    Ruins of the southern gate of Cyrrhus
  • The Roman-era hexagonal tower tomb, now part of the Mosque of Prophet Huri
    The Roman-era hexagonal tower tomb, now part of theMosque of Prophet Huri

References

[edit]
  1. ^Encyclopædia Britannica,11th ed,s.v.numismatics
  2. ^Dow, Joseph A.,Ancient Coins Through the Bible,p. 67.
  3. ^Ivan Mannheim,Syria and Lebanon Handbook: The Travel Guide,Footprint, 2001.ISBN978-1-900949-90-3.
  4. ^Runciman 1962,pp. 129–130.
  5. ^Guy Le Strange,Palestine Under the Moslems: A Description of Syria and the Holy Land from A.D. 650 to 1500,London, 1890.
  6. ^First results on the city planning of Cyrrhus (Syria) Abdul Massih, Benech, GelinArcheoSciences,revue d’archéométrie, suppl. 33, 2009, p. 201-203.
  7. ^Cyrrhus.
  8. ^CyrrhusArchived2016-03-03 at theWayback Machineat Livis.org.
  9. ^Richard Stillwell, William L. MacDonald, Marian Holland McAllister, Stillwell, Richard, MacDonald, William L., McAlister, Marian HollandKYRRHOS Syria.in The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites]
  10. ^His works are inJacques Paul Migne(ed.),Patrologia Graeca,LXXX-LXXXIV.
  11. ^Raymond Janin, v.CyrrhusinDictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie ecclésiastiques,vol. XIII, Paris 1956, coll. 1186-1187
  12. ^Michel Lequien,Oriens christianus in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus,Paris 1740, Vol. II, coll. 929-934
  13. ^Franz Cumont,Etudes syriennes,Paris 1917, pp. 221 ff.
  14. ^Siméon Vailhé,"Cyrrhus" inCatholic Encyclopedia(New York 1908)]
  15. ^Raymond Janin, v. Cyrrhus in Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie ecclésiastiques, vol. XIII, Paris 1956, coll. 1186-1187.
  16. ^Michel Lequien, Oriens christianus in quatuor Patriarchatus digestus, Paris 1740, Vol. II, coll. 929-934.
  17. ^Ian George Tompkins, PROBLEMS OF DATING AND PERTINENCE IN SOME LETTERS OF THEODORET OF CYRRHUS, Byzantion Vol. 65, No. 1 (1995), pp.176-195.
  18. ^Raymond Janin, v. Cyrrhus in Dictionnaire d'Histoire et de Géographie ecclésiastiques, vol. XIII, Paris 1956, coll. 1186-1187
  19. ^The Chronicle of Michael the Great, Patriarch of the Syrians89.
  20. ^The Chronicle ofMichael the Great,Patriarch of the Syrians89.
  21. ^abThe Chronicle ofMichael the Great,Patriarch of the Syrians122.
  22. ^Annuario Pontificio 2013(Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013ISBN978-88-209-9070-1), p. 870
[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Abdul Massih J., 2008, Edmond Frézouls à Cyrrhus: les débuts de la recherche archéologique en Syrie, Document d’Archéologie Syrienne XIV, pp. 424–428.
  • Abdul Massih J., 2008, Edmond Frézouls et les publications archéologiques syriennes, Document d’Archéologie Syrienne XIV, pp. 428–430.
  • Abdul Massih J., 2006–2007, évaluation de l’état général du site archéologique de Cyrrhus – Nebi Houri Annales Archéologiques de Syrie, XLIX-L, p. 45-59.
  • ALPI F., 2011, Base de statue de Justinien ornée d’une inscription métrique (Cyrrhus, Euphratésie), Syria 88, p. 341-349.
  • Abdul Massih J, Gelin M., 2009, Notes préliminaires sur l’étude du système défensif méridional de Cyrrhus, Campagnes 2007–2008, Chroniques 2008, Damas 2010, pp. 109–218
  • Abdul Massih J., 2009, Urbanisme du site de Cyrrhus: origine et évolution; Etat de la question, Colloque de damas 2008 sur l’urbanisme en Orient
  • Jeanine Abdul Massih,Notes préliminaires sur l’étude du système défensif méridional de Cyrrhus,Campagnes 2007–2008, Chroniques 2008, Damas 2010, pp. 109–218, Damas 2010, pp. 109–218.
  • Jeanine Abdul Massih,Les mosaïques de la maison romaine et la fortification polygonale de Cyrrhus (Nebi Houri), Notes préliminaires,Syria 2009, pp. 289–306.
  • Ivan Mannheim,Syria and Lebanon Handbook: The Travel Guide,Footprint, 2001.ISBN978-1-900949-90-3.
  • Guy Le Strange,Palestine Under the Moslems: A Description of Syria and the Holy Land from A.D. 650 to 1500,London, 1890.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cyrrhus&oldid=1252611703"