an ancient country of Western Asia, was bounded on the N. by Armenia and Mount Masius, on the E. by the Tigris, on the S. by the Median Wall, and on the W. by the Euphrates. Its early name, as we learn from Scripture, was Aram Naharaim (Syria of the Two Waters), and was thus derived, like its after-name, Mesopotamia, from its peculiar position. The same cause has evidently induced the modern Arabs to call it Al-Jezireh (the Island). In addition to the Tigris and Euphrates, it is watered by the Chaboras (Khobas), the Mygdonius (Herma), and the Belas. Its principal towns were Nissibis (Nisibin), Edessa (Orfa), Circesium (Karakeia), and Carrhae (Harra), the Haran of the Bible. According to Xenophon in his Anabasis, this country was a vast plain as level as the sea, diversified with no woods, abounding in sweet-scented wild-flowers, and haunted by wild asses, ostriches, buzzards, antelopes, and other animals; yet later writers represent it as affording rich pastureage for abundant herds, and possessing stately forests, especially on the banks of its two great rivers. Mesopotamia is seldom mentioned in history before the date at which it became a Persian province. Under the Romans it was divided into two parts,—Osrhoene, on the W. of the River Chaboras, and Mesopotamia on the E. It was very impatient under the yoke of Rome, and continued to waver between revolt and submission until A.D. 363, when it was surrendered by Jovian into the hands of the Persians.