Julian's Persian expedition
| Julian's Persian expedition | |||||||||
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| Part of the Roman–Persian Wars | |||||||||
The body of Julian, killed in battle, is trampled on by King Shapur II in a relief from Taq-e-Bostan. | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Roman Empire Armenia |
Sasanian Empire Arab allies | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Emperor Julian † Emperor Jovian Arshak II Hormizd Arintheus Victor (WIA) Dagalaifus Nevitta Lucillianus Procopius Sebastianus |
Shapur II Ardashir II Pigranes Surena Merena † Nohodares † Narseus Podosaces Mamersides | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
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120,000 men
| Unknown, but probably fewer | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Heavy | Moderate | ||||||||
Julian's Persian expedition took place from March to July 363 AD. It was the final military campaign to be undertaken by Roman emperor Julian, who died in battle at Samarra. The Roman Empire fought against the Sasanian Empire, which was ruled at the time by Shapur II, and sought to capture the Sasanian capital city Ctesiphon.
In order to mislead the enemy and to carry out a pincer attack, Julian sent a detachment to join with his ally Arshak II of Arsacid Armenia to take the Tigris route from the north. Meanwhile, his main army and a large fleet, facing little opposition, advanced rapidly down the Euphrates, destroying several well-fortified cities along the way. The ships then reached the walls of Ctesiphon, where a large Sasanian army had assembled in defensive positions.
The Romans won a victory outside the city, but the northern army failed to arrive, and the fortified capital seemed impregnable. Due to these complications, Julian did not attempt to besiege the city, instead burning the Roman fleet of supplies and leading a march into Persia. Shapur II's army, however, took lengths to avoid a full-scale battle and used a scorched-earth strategy, which eventually left Julian's army facing supply problems and forcing their retreat to the north. Shapur II's army pursued the retreating Romans, ceaselessly harassing the retreat through skirmishes. Julian died of wounds sustained from one of these skirmishes and was succeeded by Jovian, who agreed to surrender to the Sasanians under unfavourable terms in order to save the remnants of his demoralized and exhausted army from annihilation.
The Peace Treaty of 363 transferred multiple regions and frontier fortresses, including Nisibis and Singara, to the Sasanians. In addition to making territorial concessions, the Roman Empire renounced its alliance with Armenia, giving Shapur II the opportunity to invade and annex it.