Eastern Mediterranean 231: First Roman–Persian War

View full map and options for mobile…
Political map of the Eastern Mediterranean on 13 Jul 231 (Roman consolidation in the East: First Roman–Persian War), showing the following events: Battle of Hormozdgan; Ardashir I vs Vologases VI; Sasanian Empire; Roman Thessaly; Ardashir I’s first Roman campaign.

Over the 220s the Sasanian Persians rose up and overthrew the Parthian Empire, proclaiming their own empire under Ardashir I. In 231 the victorious Ardashir I led the Persians into Roman Mesopotamia, prompting Roman emperor Severus Alexander—who had succeeded his unpopular cousin Elagabalus in 222—to counter with a three-pronged invasion of Persia.

About this map
Download map
(download without labels)

Main Events

28 Apr 224 Battle of Hormozdgan ▲

In 224 Shah Artabanus IV of Parthia marched south to suppress the Sasanian revolt under Ardashir I, agreeing to meet Ardashir on the plain of Hormozdgan (believed to be Ram-Hormoz). The night before the battle, Ardashir made up for his smaller number of forces by occupying an advantageous position on the plain and digging a defensive ditch. Thus outmaneuvered, Artabanus was defeated and killed the following day, prompting the victorious Ardashir to assume the title of shahanshah (“King of Kings”). in wikipedia

226–228 Ardashir I vs Vologases VI ▲

In 226/227 Ardashir I led the Sasanian forces in an attack against Hatra, capital of the Kingdom of Araba, but was unable to breach the city’s walls and apparently succeeded only in persuading Araba to seek Roman protection. Unfazed, Ardashir turned south, defeating Shah Vologases VI in Ctesiphon and conquering Mesopotamia. Coins suggest Vologases held out in Seleucia until 228, when his fall finally brought the 475-year-old Parthian Empire to an end. in wikipedia

6 Apr 227 Sasanian Empire ▲

In 226/227 the Sasanid ruler Ardashir I captured Ctesiphon, capital of the Parthian Empire, from Vologases VI. Here, probably in early April 227, he was formally crowned Shah of a new Empire of the Iranians, vowing to restore the domains of the ancient Achaemenids. Lasting until 651, Ardashir’s empire would be variously called the Neo-Persian Empire and the Sasanian Empire (after Ardashir’s Sasanid dynasty) by historians. in wikipedia

230? Roman Thessaly ▲

During the reign of Severus Alexander, the region of Thessaly was separated from Macedonia to form a new province, with its capital at Larissa. It was governed by an imperial procurator. in wikipedia

231–232 Ardashir I’s first Roman campaign ▲

In 231 the Sasanian Persian shah Ardashir I crossed the Tigris into Roman Mesopotamia, overrunning the countryside and besieging Nisibis. When the Roman emperor Severus Alexander demanded that the Persians withdraw, Ardashir ignored him and continued to plunder the province. Upon hearing this, Alexander declared war, arriving in Syria with his army by early 232. in wikipedia

230s 231 Araba Greece Iran Iraq July July 13 Khuzestan Macedonia maps mesopotamia Parthia Roman Empire Thessaly

Follow us

Join Omniatlas