مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - An Assessment of the Third Century Roman-Sassanid Rivalry and Conflict: The capture of the Roman Emperor Valerian by the Persian King Shapur I

Abstract :

This article concerns the capture of the Roman Emperor Valerian at the Battle of Edessa in 260 A.D., by Shapur I, ruler of the Sassanid Empire. The introduction focuses upon the policy of Rome in Asia Minor and Rome’s handling of issues concerning its eastern boundary starting with the Parthians. As Rome entered the 3rd c. crisis, the Sassanids became a strong state facing Rome, the starting point for rivalries and conflicts between Romans and Sasanians. In examining the achievements of Shapur against Rome and his encounter with Valerian; the ancient sources, which provide conflicting information concerning the capture of the emperor in this battle were scrutinized and the reader is presented with the debate concerning his death. In Roman Imperial history it was the first time a Roman emperor had been taken prisoner by the enemy and an attempt is made to analyze the situation on both sides after this captivity; while most western sources undervalued this situation, or have asserted Shapur I gained victory through a trick, eastern sources record Valerian was taken captive with his commanders. The encounter between Narses and Galerius in the following period recalls this struggle between Shapur and Valerian. Galerius wished to immortalize his triumph against Narses in Thessalonike, as a response to the victory reliefs of Shapur I. The monumental inscription of Shapur and the cities which were established after the battle employing Roman architectural forms indicate many Roman soldiers were taken prisoner, in addition to Emperor Valerian, after the Battle of Edessa.