Jerusalem (Bishopric)

Flag of the Bishopric of Jerusalem

The  **Bishopric of Jerusalem** (51-244 CE); (As Sassanid client state: 244 CE- ), was a theocratic state, in the area of the former Hasmonean Kingdom (Client state of Parthia), ruled by a bishop. Christianity, the cause of the establishment, was founded after the death of Jesus Christ, in 50 CE. The following civil war, with support from the Pontic Empire, resulted in the formation of the Christian state of Jerusalem.

## History

### Background

Christianity, the basis of the state foundation, began to develop after the death of Jesus Christ, in 50 CE.

During his execution, Jesus told the people, that he would be raised from the dead after 3 days. After his death, Jesus was put into a stone tomb, closed by a two tons heavy stone. 3 Partho-Jewish soldiers were guarding the tomb. However, as the story goes, during one night they saw the tomb opened by an angel who then took Jesus with him. In any case, if this is true or not, the tomb was opened. The soldiers were completely shocked, then rushed to the town and told the high priest everything they had seen. The high priest didn't believe them, and told them to bring him to the tomb. As the priest saw the empty tomb, he fell on his knees, shocked, and asked himself: "How on earth is this possible?"

After visiting the apostles and his close friends, the "resurrected" Jesus travelled to Jerusalem, and as he stood in the center of the city, everyone around him was paralyzed and confused. Immediately, a garrison was sent to deal with the unrest in the city, led by a prominent Parthian general, named \*Malachi, who was Jewish himself. As the troops arrived, they were instantly shocked, and were basically shaking, as they saw him dead just three days ago. Jesus then calmly walked to the general, and said to him: "I have told you, my friend, I have told you". As the legend continues, suddenly, he disappeared, leaving the entire city paralyzed.

The religion spread like a wildfire, which erupted into a civil war, comprising all of Judea. The Christian force, with its center in Jerusalem, was led by \*Malachi himself.

### The Second Levantine War and Establishment (50-52 CE)

After the death of Jesus Christ by stoning in 50 CE (and claimed resurrection thereafter), a revolt broke out in Judea, known as the Great Christian Revolt. However, the **Christians** knew that the Parthian Empire could easily crush their rebellion, which controlled the region. The **Christian** general, \*Malachi, asked the Pontic king, \*Pharnaces III, for support. Pharnaces saw this as a chance to conquer Syria from the Parthians, while their ally would get Isreal. However, the king was too old to fight, so he sent his son, \*Mithridates VIII Soter, as well as his favourite general, named \*Nicanor, and alongside them two massive armies of each 40,000 men.

Meanwhile, a Parthian army, numbering 20,000 men, was coming close to Jerusalem. Initially wanting to fight, \*Malachi got rejected by the apostles for being a warmonger. However, when the Parthians saw an army with Pontic symbols, under \*Mithridates, the latter got completely confused and, as a result, the Parthians were completely crushed, not expecting an attack from Pontos, during the Battle of Jerusalem (51 CE). Meanwhile, in the north, the Pontic army, commanded by \*Nicanor, launched a surprise attack and captured Antioch, Edessa and Palmyra, by 52 CE. After capturing Tigranocerta, the two Pontic armies, each numbering around 40,000 men, were both marching to the city of Hatra.

However, due to a misconception, the Parthian king, \*Gotarzes II, believed it was only one force that marched east, and thus, he sent one army, consisting of 80,000 men. The southern Pontic force, led by \*Mithridates, has reached the city first and began its formation. However, when the Parthians were about to charge, \*Nicanor and his 40,000 strong army smashed into them from behind, while the southern force now began to charge as well. \*Gotarzes' army was completely annihilated from both sides. 70,000 men were killed in the Battle of Hatra (52 CE), and 10,000 captured. The Parthians were completely exhausted, and \*Gotarzes II, was forced to sue for peace.

In late 52 CE, the Pontic Empire and the Parthian Empire signed a peace treaty. The **Bishopric of Jerusalem** asserted control of all of former Judea. Pontos gained control over Antioch, Syria, Nabataea, the city of Ascalon, and Egypt. The Hasmonean Jews were to be exiled into the Pontic client state of Ituraea. Having no other choice, the Parthians agreed, marking the end of the Second Levantine War (50-52 CE).

### Christian Influence and Paul the Apostle (52-72 CE)

*Main article*: Paul the Apostle

Paul the Apostle (5-72 CE), was one of the leading figures to spread Christianity in Asia Minor and Europe. He not only founded faithful communities, he even converted entire vassal states to Christianity.

Regions converted to Christianity by Paul:

- 53 CE: Carthaginian vassal republic of Cyprus

- 61 CE: Pontic vassal kingdom of Macedon

- 62 CE: Carthaginian vassal republic of Crete

- 63 CE: Pontic vassal kingdom of Achaea

- 70 CE: Pontic vassal kingdom of Athens

Strong Christian Communities founded by Paul:

- Antioch

- Pisidian Antioch

- Corinth

- Ephesus

- Mithripolis

- Alexandria

#### Other important Apostles

**Thomas:** In 53 CE, travelled to India and established seven churches (communities) in Kerala.

**Bartholomew:** Traveled to Armenia and India.

**James the Less:** Traveled to Damascus in 75 CE (first bishop of Jerusalem).

**Andrew:** Traveled to Georgia, Cyprus, Malta and Mithripolis.

**Peter:** Traveled to Damascus and preached in Jerusalem.

**James the Great:** Traveled to Iberia; Founded a Christian community in the Carthaginian city of Gadir, in 90 CE.

**Phillip:** Traveled to Jerusalem, Syria and Phrygia.

### Sassanid Client State (244 CE-)

Following the dream of a second Acheaemenid Empire, during the Fifth Egyptian War (244-246 CE), Shapur, king of the Persian Empire, invaded the Carthaginian Levant with a force of 80,000 men, defeating them at the Battle of Tyre. When a massive army, under suffete, \*Gisco was sailing to Phoenicia, the Sassanids wasted no time and vassalized the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem to consolidate their power in the Levant.