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'Shapur I' was the second Sassanid King of the Second Persian Empire. The dates of his reign are commonly given as 241 - 272, but it is likely that he also reigned as co-regent (together with his father) prior to his father's death in 241.

Contents

Early years

War against the Roman Empire

Builder of cities

Interactions with minorities

Bibliography

See also

Early years

Shapur was the son of Ardeshir I (''r.'' 226–241), the founder of the Sassanid dynasty and whom Shapur succeeded. Although his mother, Lady Myrōd,^[1] was an Arsacid princess,^[2] Shapur accompanied his father's campaigns against the Parthians, who - at the time - still controlled much of the Iranian plateau through a system of vassal states that the Persian kingdom had itself previously been a part of.
Before an assembly of magnates, Ardeshir "judged him the gentlest, wisest, bravest and ablest of all his children"¹ and nominated him as his successor. Shapur also appears as heir apparent in Ardeshir's investiture inscriptions at Naqsh-e Rajab and Firuzabad. The Cologne Mani Codex indicates that, by 240, Ardeshir and Shapur were already reigning together.¹ In a letter from Gordian III to his senate, dated to 242, the "Persian Kings" are referred to in the plural. Synarchy is also evident in the coins of this period that portray Ardashir facing his youthful son, and which are accompanied by a legend that indicates that Shapur was already referred to as king.
The date of Shapur's coronation remains debated, but 241 is frequently noted.¹

War against the Roman Empire

Ardashir I had, towards the end of his reign, renewed the war against the Roman Empire. Shapur I conquered the Mesopotamian fortresses Nisibis and Carrhae and advanced into Syria. Timesitheus, father-in-law of the young emperor, Gordian III, drove him back and defeated him at the battle of Resaena in 243. Timesitheus died shortly afterward, and Philip the Arab (244–249) murdered Gordian III. Philip then concluded an ignominious peace with the Persians in 244. When the invasion of the Goths and the continuous elevation of new emperors after the death of Trajan Decius (251) brought the Roman Empire to dissolution, Shapur I resumed his attacks.
Shapur conquered Armenia, invaded Syria, and plundered Antioch. Eventually, Emperor Valerian (253–260) marched against him, but was taken prisoner in the Roman-controlled province of Edessa when he attempted to meet for negotiations in 260. Shapur advanced into Asia Minor, but Ballista beat him back. Septimius Odenathus, prince of Palmyra, rose in his rear, defeated the Persian army, reconquered Carrhae and Nisibis, captured the royal harem, and took Ctesiphon. Shapur I was unable to resume the offensive and lost Armenia again. According to Persian tradition, he held the great fortress of Hatra in the Mesopotamian desert.

One of the great achievements of Shapur's reign was the defeat of the Roman Emperor Valerian. This is presented in a mural at Naqsh-e Rustam, where Shapur is represented on horseback wearing royal armour and crown. Before him kneels Philip the Arab, in Roman dress, asking for grace. In his right hand the king grasps the uplifted arms of what may be Valerian; one of his hands is hidden in his sleeve as the sign of submission. The same scene is repeated in other rock-face inscriptions.
Shapur is said to have publicly shamed Valerian by using the Roman Emperor as a footstool when mounting his horse.^[3] Other sources contradict and note that in other stone carvings, Valerian is respected and never on his knees. This is supported by reports that Valerian and some of his army lived in relatively good conditions in the city of Bishapur and that Shapur enrolled the assistance of Roman engineers in his engineering and development plans.

Builder of cities

Shapur I left other reliefs and rock inscriptions. A relief at Naqsh-e Rajab near Istakhr, is accompanied by a Greek translation. Here Shapur I calls himself "the Mazdayasnian (worshipper of Ahuramazda), the divine Sapores, King of Kings of the Aryans, Iranians, and non-Aryans, of divine descent, son of the Mazdayasnian, the divine Artaxerxes, King of Kings of the Aryans, grandson of the divine king Papak." Another long inscription at Istakhr mentions the King's exploits in archery in the presence of his nobles.
From his titles we learn that Shapur I claimed the sovereignty over the whole earth, although in reality his domain extended little farther than that of Ardashir I.
Shapur I built the great town Gundishapur near the old Achaemenid capital Susa, and increased the fertility of the district by a dam and irrigation system - built by the Roman prisoners - that redirected part of the Karun River. The barrier is still called ''Band-e Kaisar'', "the mole of the Caesar." He is also responsible for building the city of Bishapur, also built by Roman soldiers captured after the defeat of Valerian in 260.

Interactions with minorities

Shmuel, one of the most famous of the ''Amoraim'' of "Bavel" (Babylonia), was occasionally referred to as ''Shvor Malka'', which is the Aramaic form of the name of the Persian King, by Shapur I, with whom Shmuel was quite friendly. Because of these interactions, many advantages were gained for the Jewish community.
Under Shapur's reign, the prophet Mani, the founder of Manichaeism, began his preaching in Western Iran, and the King himself seems to have favoured his ideas. The ''Shapurgan'', Mani's only treatise in the Middle Persian language, is dedicated to Shapur.

Bibliography

1. Shapur I Encyclopedia Iranica
2. Iran in the Ancient East, , E. E., Herzfeld, , 1988, ISBN 0-87817-308-0 p. 287.
3. Valerian and Gallienus Weigel, Richard D.


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See also

★ Bishapur

★ Nishapur