Archival Overview
Tenth King of Kings of the Sasanian Empire (309–379 CE) whose reign spanned seventy years—having been crowned before birth—who defeated Roman Emperor Julian at the Battle of Samarra and expanded the Sasanian golden age from Mesopotamia to Central Asia.
Biographical Record
Shapur II (309–379 CE) is the only monarch in human history crowned in his mother's womb, with the royal crown placed atop his pregnant mother's belly. Taking direct personal rule at age sixteen, Shapur secured the Persian Gulf against Arab nomadic incursions before turning to confront the Roman Empire.
In 359 CE, Shapur besieged and captured the strategic Roman fortress of Amida. When Roman Emperor Julian 'the Apostate' invaded Mesopotamia with a massive army in 363 CE, Shapur outmaneuvered Julian, who was killed in battle at Samarra; Julian's successor Jovian was forced to surrender five Roman provinces and the fortress of Nisibis to Persia.
Key Life Milestones
Siege and Capture of the Roman Fortress of Amida
Captured the key Roman fortress in Upper Mesopotamia after an epic seventy-three-day siege.
The Triumph over Emperor Julian at Samarra
Defeated the Roman imperial invasion, forcing Rome to cede Nisibis and five eastern provinces to Persia.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
0 messages recordedLeave a Respectful Tribute
Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialKermanshah, Iran