Soem of Ames

Gaius Julius Soem ( Greek: Σόαιμος (Σόεμος) ; lat.Gaius Julius Sohaemus ; d. After 72) - king of Emesa and Sophena (54 - after 72).

Son of Sampsikeram II and Iotapa (III), daughter of Mithridates III of Commagenes . The last known king of Emesa, in which in 54 he inherited his brother Aziz . In the same year, in view of the start of the Parthian war, he was also appointed king of Sophena ^[1] . Based on the inscription from Baalbek , where Soem is called the “Great King”, “Philoquesar” and “Philorus”, it is assumed that he was the patron of this city ^[2] . Actively participated in the Judean War , was awarded consular honors ^[3] . In 66, he joined the campaign of Cestius Gallus , bringing 4 thousand soldiers, of which a third of the horsemen ^[4] . In 67, he brought to the aid of Vespasian in Ptolemais 2 thousand shooters and a thousand horsemen ^[5] . In 69, Soem, who, according to Tacitus , had considerable forces, supported Vespasian’s speech against Vitellius and took part in a meeting in Beria ^[6] . In 72, he participated in the military operation of the Romans, annexing the Commagenes ^{[7] [8]} .

There is no further information about him. The date and circumstances of the annexation by the Romans of Emesa are unknown. It is believed that during the time of Domitian, she was already part of the empire. It is believed that this could have happened by 78/79 ^[9] .