The Historians' History of the World 08

283 After murder of Probus, Carus invades Persia, takes Ctesiphon and Coche, and dies suddenly. There are civil wars, probably led by a brother of the king, assisted by the barbarous tribes in the northwest.

294 Death of Bahram. The throne seems to be contested by Bahram or Varanes III, probably a son of Hormuz, who reigns a short time, and Narses or Narseh, who soon gains the upper hand.

297 Narseh occupies Armenia and defeats the Roman general Galerius.

298 Peace with Rome after a great defeat of Narseh by Galerius. Armenia and Mesopotamia ceded to Rome. Peace lasts forty years.

303 Abdication of Narseh in favour of his son Hormuz II.

310 Death of Hormuz. His son Adharnarseh succeeds, but is soon deposed for cruelty. His brothers are killed or imprisoned and the new born (or unborn) son of Hormuz, Shapur or Sapor (II) Postumus is chosen king. He proves to be the greatest of the Sassanians.

337 Sapor begins a long war with Rome, owing to the latter becoming Christianised.

339-340 Terrible persecution of the Christians in Persia. The war with Rome continues. Sapor aims to seize Nisibis and reduce Armenia.

348 Great defeat of the emperor Constantius at the battle of Singara.

350 Sapor almost succeeds in capturing Nisibis when troubles with the barbarians in the East compel him to raise the siege.

350-358 War in the East causes almost complete suspension in the conflict with Rome.

358 Peace made in the East and Romans sue for peace. Sapor declines and war is continued.

359 Sapor captures Amida, but the Romans regain it the following year. Hostilities are suspended until

363 when the emperor Julian attempts to strike a death-blow at Sapor. He takes Seleucia but fails to capture Ctesiphon. Death of Julian in battle. His successor Jovian makes a shameful peace with Sapor, granting him the lands east of the Tigris, and part of Mesopotamia with Nisibis and Singara. The Romans also agree not to help Arsaces of Armenia, and Sapor proceeds against him.

365-366 Reduction of Armenia and Iberia by Sapor.

371 The Romans attempt to recover Armenia, but fail through breaking out of the Gothic war.

379 Death of Sapor, succeeded by his brother Ardashir II.

383 or 384 Ardashir deposed by the nobles towards whom he has been very severe. Shapur or Sapor III, probably a son of Sapor II, raised to the throne. He makes a definite treaty of peace with Rome.

388 or 389 Murder of Sapor by the nobles. His brother (or perhaps son) Bahram or Varanes III succeeds.

390 Division of Armenia between Persia and Rome by treaty. The division practically lasts until Arab times.

399 Assassination of Bahram. Yezdegerd or Jezdegird (I) the Sinner, son of Sapor I or Sapor II, succeeds. He is friendly to Rome, and Arcadius appoints him the guardian of his son Thedorius. He sets his son Sapor on the throne of Pers-Armenia.

420 Death of Yezdegerd, probably slain by the nobles. Sapor hurries from Armenia to take throne, but is slain. A certain Khosrau or Chosroes is made king, but another son of Yezdegerd, Bahram or Varanes (V) the Wild Ass, succeeds in getting the throne, with the help of the Arabs, among whom he has been living in exile. This is the first intervention of the Arabs in the affairs of Persia.

421 War breaks out with Rome, probably instigated by the nobles hostile to the king. Persians defeated, and

422 peace is made, giving religious freedom to Christians in Persia, and to Zoroastrians in the Roman Empire. There is constant warfare with Hephthalites or White Huns during this reign.

429 Bahram reduces Pers-Armenia to a province.

438 or 439 Bahram succeeded by his son, Yezdegerd II, who is cruel to the Jews and Christians. He suffers severe defeats from the White Huns.

451 A severe rebellion, due to religious persecutions, breaks out in Pers-Armenia, and is quelled with difficulty.

457 Death of Yezdegerd, and contest for the throne, between his two sons, Hormuz III and Peroz or Peroses. The latter is finally successful, owing to assistance from the White Huns. Peroz persecutes Jews and Christians, but favours the Nestorians, when they are driven from Rome.

484 Defeat and death of Peroz in a great battle with the White Huns, with whom he has been at war for some years. Revolt in Armenia put down by Zarmihr. Balash, Peroz’s brother, made king. He puts his brother, Zareh, a claimant of the throne, to death.

488 or 489 Balash deposed by the nobles, and blinded. Kavadh I or Kobad, son of Peroz, succeeds him. Kobad favours Mazdak and his new communistic religion, and in consequence

496 is deposed and imprisoned. His brother, Jamasp or Zames, is placed on the throne. Kobad escapes to the White Huns, and with their help

498 or 499 recovers his kingdom.