Introduction

Ephrem was born in Nisibis, a Roman town on the Persian border, at the beginning of the fourth century. Nisibis, modern Nusaybin in South-East Anatolia, was an important commercial center with a mixed population and a somewhat cosmopolitan character. After the Romans handed the town over to the Sassanians in 363, Ephrem left Nisibis along with most of the Christian population and moved to Edessa, modern Urfa, where he died in 373.

Ephrem was born in Nisibis, a Roman town on the Persian border, at the beginning of the fourth century. Nisibis, modern Nusaybin in South-East Anatolia, was an important commercial center with a mixed population and a somewhat cosmopolitan character. After the Romans handed the town over to the Sassanians in 363, Ephrem left Nisibis along with most…

3519 words

Citation: den Biesen, Kees. "Ephrem the Syrian". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5655, accessed 26 April 2024.]

5655 Ephrem the Syrian 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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