Shapur II Biography and Timeline

Succession

Succeeds as Shah of Persia

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Infant Shapur Receives Crown

Shapur II became king as an infant, according to a famous tradition that his coronation occurred before his birth.

Infant Shapur Takes Throne

Shapur II became ruler of the Sasanian kingdom in 309 during a period of dynastic instability.

Shapur Restores Royal Direction

As he reached adulthood Shapur asserted direct royal control and pursued military action on the empire's frontiers.

Shapur Raids Arabian Frontiers

Traditions credit Shapur with punitive expeditions against Arab groups along the Persian Gulf and southern frontier.

Shapur Resumes Roman War

Shapur II opened renewed hostilities against Rome, contesting frontier fortresses in Mesopotamia during the reign of Constantius II.

Shapur Confronts Roman Border

Tensions over Armenia and Mesopotamia drove renewed war between Shapur and the Roman emperors.

Shapur Challenges Nisibis

The fortress city of Nisibis became a major target during Shapur's repeated campaigns against Roman Mesopotamia.

First Nisibis Siege Fails

One of Shapur's early attempts to capture the heavily defended city of Nisibis ended unsuccessfully.

Persian Army Fights At Singara

The battle around Singara reflected the intense military contest over northern Mesopotamia in the mid fourth century.

Shapur Battles Constantius Forces

The campaigns of Shapur and Constantius II involved repeated inconclusive encounters and assaults on frontier strongholds.

Second Nisibis Siege Fails

A later attempt to overcome the Roman garrison at Nisibis also failed to secure the strategic city.

Third Nisibis Siege Fails

A third siege of Nisibis did not bring the city under Persian rule before the settlement of 363.

Eastern Raids Demand Attention

Threats from peoples on the northeastern frontier drew Shapur away from his Roman campaigns for a time.

Shapur Secures Chionite Alliance

Shapur established an alliance with the Chionite ruler Grumbates before renewed hostilities with Rome.

Capture of Amida

Shapur II captures Amida, latter day Diyarbekir in Turkey

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Shapur Captures Amida

Shapur II besieged and captured the Roman city of Amida after a costly campaign that demonstrated the strength of the Sasanian army.

Grumbates Joins Persian Expedition

The Chionite king Grumbates joined Shapur's forces during the expedition against Roman territory in 359.

Shapur Besieges Amida

Shapur's army encircled Amida in 359 and launched a costly assault on the Roman frontier fortress.

Chionite Prince Dies At Amida

The death of Grumbates' son during the siege of Amida intensified fighting around the Roman stronghold.

Shapur Secures Amida After Siege

After a prolonged and bloody siege the Persian forces captured Amida from its Roman defenders in 359.

Shapur Captures Bezabde

Persian troops captured the fortified city of Bezabde as the conflict continued in Mesopotamia.

Constantius Attempts To Retake Bezabde

The Roman emperor Constantius II tried unsuccessfully to recover Bezabde from Persian control.

Invasion of Persia

Julian the Apostate invades Persia

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Invasion of Persia

Julian the Apostate reaches the Persian capital Ctesiphon

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Battle of Ctesiphon

2,500 Persians are killed to the cost of 70 Roman lives

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Siege of Ctesiphon

Julian the Apostate calls off the siege of Ctesiphon

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Death of Shapur II

Death of Julian the Apostate, in a skirmish retreating from Ctesiphon

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Peace Treaty

Jovian accepts Shapur IIs offer of peace, 5 border provinces are restored to Persia

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Shapur Wins Territory From Jovian

After Julian died on campaign, Shapur II secured a treaty with Emperor Jovian that transferred Nisibis and other territories to Persia.

Julian Launches Persian Campaign

Emperor Julian led a large Roman expedition into Persian territory in 363, challenging Shapur's authority.

Romans Fight At Ctesiphon

Julian's army defeated Persian forces near Ctesiphon but did not succeed in taking the capital.

Julian Orders Inland Retreat

The Roman campaign turned away from Ctesiphon and became vulnerable while marching through Persian territory.

Julian Dies During Retreat

Julian was mortally wounded during a clash in Persia in June 363, leaving the invading army without its emperor.

Jovian Accepts Persian Terms

The new Roman emperor Jovian concluded a peace agreement on unfavourable terms to extricate his army.

Shapur Secures Nisibis By Treaty

The settlement of 363 transferred Nisibis to Persian control after Shapur's earlier unsuccessful sieges.

Shapur Regains Eastern Provinces

The peace agreement restored several contested territories to the Sasanian sphere of control.

Shapur Reasserts Armenian Influence

Shapur pursued influence over Armenian kings and noble factions as the Roman Persian rivalry continued.

Arshak Second Captured

The Armenian king Arshak II fell into Persian captivity amid Shapur's intervention in Armenia.

Pap Contests Persian Influence

Armenian politics remained unstable as Pap and rival factions navigated between Persian and Roman interests.