Shapur I

Shapur I defeated the Roman emperor Gordian III at Misiche in Mesopotamia. Gordian died during or shortly after the battle, and his successor Philip the Arab signed a peace treaty favorable to the Sassanids, paying a large ransom.

Shapur I captured the Roman emperor Valerian in battle near Edessa. Valerian was taken prisoner and spent the rest of his life in Persian captivity, a humiliation unprecedented in Roman history. Shapur used this victory to extract tribute and territory.

Following the capture of Valerian, Shapur I invaded Syria and sacked the city of Antioch, a major Roman center. The Sassanid army plundered the city and deported many inhabitants to Persia, demonstrating the empire's military reach.

Shapur I commissioned rock reliefs and inscriptions at Naqsh-e Rostam, depicting his victories over Roman emperors. The trilingual inscription (Middle Persian, Parthian, Greek) details his campaigns and the extent of his empire, serving as a key historical source.

Shapur I founded the city of Bishapur in Fars province, modeled partly on Roman urban planning. The city featured a palace with mosaics and reliefs celebrating his victories, becoming a major Sassanid administrative and cultural center.