Antiquities

The Persian war of Emperor Julian

In 362 AD the Roman emperor Julian, fresh onto the Imperial throne, began preparations for a campaign into the Sassanid Persian Empire, reversing his predecessor Constantius II‘s successful defensive strategy. Preparations for the campaign were extensive and took up much of the year 362 AD for the emperor.

Eventually Julian had a total of 65,000 men, aided by a fleet sailing along the rivers. Contrary to popular belief Julian did not desire to conquer the Persians, but to instead replace Shapur with a pro-Roman client king.

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The war properly kicked off in 363 AD; Julian led the main force into Persia, while leaving the second half of his army under Count Procopius in reserve. Julian had been able to convince Shapur he was advancing via a different route, which helped the Romans gain momentum.

They captured or bypassed a number of forts and cities, with Persian forces in the area being unable to stop them. Julian eventually reached the Persian capital of Ctesiphon, which had a large army in it. The Romans were able to defeat it with slim casualties, but Julian now found that sustaining the army deep in enemy territory was proving difficult.

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Julian thus began to lead his army back to Roman territory. On his way, he inflicted a heavy defeat upon the royal Persian army at Maranga, but was later fatally wounded in a huge Persian ambush at Samara, though his army survived the attack.

Julian died of his wounds and was succeeded by Jovian; the Romans continued their march back home, defeating the Persians in a number of engagements. Shapur, whose army had taken high losses and whose morale had been shaken, decided to try and negotiate with Jovian, knowing the new emperor was himself in a difficult situation, and could be pressured more easily.

Jovian accepted, as he also had to get back into the empire to consolidate his power. The treaty that Shapur was able to get significantly favoured Persia, leading to the Romans ceding a series of border cities and forts to them.

Credit: @roman.military.history

Source: Roman Empire

P.S Here is the true story. In school textbooks in Azerbaijan they lie, propagandizing lies to students. And they get a shock when they see foreign (non-Russian-language) resources that tell about their history and layout truthful maps on which there is always Armenia!

You can lie to yourself, but in front of the world, you will always look shameful in your attempts to deny the history of the world. Armenia is on all ancient maps. Unlike Azerbaijan.

If your governments stop lying to you, if you find out the truth, then maybe you will stop harming us and maybe the long-awaited peace will come.

The only obstacle to peace is your unjustified anger at the historical truth and hating Armenians towards us.

Demand the truth from your government! Ararat – Place Of Creation

Vigen Avetisyan

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