Eastern Mediterranean 242: Gordian III’s Persian War
Gordian III’s Persian War
sum 242 Gordian III’s Persian War
11 Feb 244 Death of Gordian III
11 Sep 249 Downfall of Philip the Arab
late 250 Decius’ Gothic War
Aug 253 Battle of Barbalissos
Following his Persian campaign, Severus Alexander headed north to face a Germanic incursion, but was killed by his mutinous troops in 235, sending the Roman Empire into the 50-year period of instability known as the Crisis of the Third Century. Taking advantage of Roman weakness, Sasanian Persia captured Hatra, capital of the Roman-aligned Kingdom of Araba, in 240 or 241. From Hatra, the Persians invaded the Roman Empire itself, leading the 17-year-old Gordian III—the sixth Roman emperor since Severus Alexander—to rally his troops and declare war in 242.
This map has in-depth notes in the Journal, exclusive to Patrons on Classical Tier and above. Find them in the events descriptions, marked with the Journal icon .