Shapur I: Rome's Greatest Enemy?
Summary
Host Tristan Hughes and historian Dr. Eve MacDonald examine Shapur I, the Sasanian king who rivaled Rome. They discuss his rise, the defeat of Emperor Gordian III, and the historic capture of Emperor Valerian in 260 AD. The episode highlights Shapur’s military prowess, his trilingual inscriptions, and his role in forging a new Persian superpower during Rome’s Crisis of the Third Century.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: History Hit, Zocdoc, and Acast
Introduction to Shapur I and the Sasanian Empire
The Rise of Ardashir and the Fall of the Parthians
Legitimacy, Zoroastrianism, and Shapur's Mythic Birth
Shapur's Education, Multilingual Court, and Eastern Conquests
Consolidating Power and Defeating the Romans
Sponsor Ads and Context on the Kushan Empire
Roman Invasions and the Battle of Misiche with Gordian III
The Aftermath of Misiche and Shapur's Military Reforms
Sponsor Ads and Shapur's Campaigns under Philip the Arab
The Capture of Emperor Valerian at Edessa
Palmyra's Rise and the Stabilization of the Frontier
Shapur's Legacy, Top Roman Enemies, and Book Promotion
Sponsor: WeatherTech
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