Eastern Mediterranean 260: Capture of Valerian

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Political map of the Eastern Mediterranean on 29 Jun 260 (Crisis of the Third Century: Capture of Valerian), showing the following events: Phrygia et Caria; Shapur I’s sack of Trapezus; Shapur I’s third Roman War; Capture of Valerian.

In 260 Shapur I of Persia launched another major invasion of the Roman Empire. Valerian marched east to deal with this threat but was defeated and captured by Shapur at Edessa. This humiliation—the first time a Roman emperor had been taken prisoner—would prove disastrous for an empire already strained by plague, a currency crisis, and multiple invasions.

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Main Events

258? Phrygia et Caria ▲

Some time between 254 and 259, during the joint rule of Valerian and Gallienus, it appears likely that the regions of Phrygia and Caria were separated from the province of Asia to create the new province of Phrygia and Caria. The evidence for this comes from four inscriptions dated to that period. This province may have been created in response to the Gothic invasions of Asia Minor in the same decade. in wikipedia

258 Shapur I’s sack of Trapezus ▲

In 258 Shapur I of Persia marched through northern Cappadocia to the Black Sea, where he sacked Trapezus. Barely rebuilt after its pillage by the Goths about two years earlier, the once prosperous city would take decades to recover. in wikipedia

260 Shapur I’s third Roman War ▲

In 260 the Persian shah Shapur I launched his third major invasion of the Roman Empire, quickly overwhelming Mesopotamia and Osrhoene. After defeating and capturing the Roman emperor Valerian, Shapur rampaged across Syria Coele, Cilicia, Cappadocia, and Galatia, before returning home that same year with many slaves and much booty. in wikipedia

260 Capture of Valerian ▲

In spring 260 Shapur I of Persia besieged Edessa and Carrhae, prompting the eastern Roman emperor Valerian to march against him. However, much of Valerian’s army fell in a outbreak of plague, allowing Shapur to easily defeat and capture his rival (some sources even claim that he was seized while attempting to negotiate a truce). The first Roman emperor to have been taken prisoner, Valerian was sent back to Persia with the remnants of his army and ended his life in captivity. in wikipedia

260 260s Adana Asia Minor Cappadocia Edessa Galatia Iran June June 29 maps mesopotamia Phrygia Roman Empire Syria

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