Third Century Events In The East

[Mars]

What was the true fate of Alexander's southern column around 233? I think it was mauled but not annihilated, and inflicted as well as suffered high losses. What really happened to Gordian III and his army in 244? I think he was killed in battle while his army was stopped and bloodied. Does the RGDS tell the truth about Barbalissos in 252? I think it does. Was Valerian captured while attempting to negotiate, fleeing mutinous troops, or after defeat in battle? I think the latter. Was he really severely humiliated after capture? I don't think so.

[Onasander]

[Favonius Cornelius]

Was he really severely humiliated after capture? I don't think so.

 

 

Why don't you think so?

[Mars]

For one thing, the writings of al-Tabari and Firdawsi mention Valerian and his army being taken to Iran, where they built a bridge on the Karun river, part of which is still visible. Note also the doubts of Gibbon about the alleged humiliation of Valerian. He didn't think a ruler would defile the majesty of kings, even if he was a rival. I seriously doubt the story of Valerian being used as a footstool to enable Shapur to mount his horse. Valerian was an old man of about 60. If that had happened just once i.e. having the bear the full weight on a man on his back, he'd be seriously injured or dead. Lastly Bishapur shows Valerian in full regalia, held by Shapur as a captive but not humiliated.

 

So where did the humiliation stories come from? Roman propagandists probably made them up to whip up hatred of Persia during the subsequent wars agaist Persia by Carus and Galerius. And Christian writers like Lactantius no doubt wanted to believe them because Valerian was a persecutor.

[Mars]

The third century was generally neglected by historians but much recent scholarship has tried to remedy that.

[Lex]

I really wonder what happened to Alexander Severus' army on his campaign in the East. Apparently he lied to the Senate about what happened, but it also appears that what had happened was blown out of proportion.

 

According to Gibbon, Alexander Severus was murdered by the Praetorian Guard because they thought he had become "effiminate". I wonder the reasoning behind this, since he was clearly an extremely able Emperor and even personally led his troops on campaigns. Was it because of his failure on his Persian campaign or were there ulterior motives? What really caused the Praetorian Guard to murder Alexander and could the Persian campaign have hurt his image so badly?

What really happened, any ideas?

[Segestan]

SEVERUS ALEXANDER; born 208, Phoenicia

died 235, Gaul

 

also called Alexander Severus, in full Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, original name Gessius Bassianus Alexianus, or Alexianus Bassianus?

Roman emperor from AD 222 to 235, whose weak rule collapsed in the civil strife that engulfed the empire for the next 50 years. His maternal grandmother, Julia Maesa, was a sister-in-law of the emperor Septimius Severus (reigned 193

[Mars]

I wouldn't say Alexander was defeated in the Persian war, even if it didn't go as well as they planned. The northern force did well, and the southern column probably fought a bloody, drawn battle. It is likely that Alexander's southern force did somewhat better than the army of Gordian III in the same area 11 years later, in 244. Gordian lost his life, and Philip had to buy peace. The Persians claimed a victory, and renamed Meshike Pirisapor. AFAIK they didn't boast of victory in 233, while Alexander did.

[Mars]

Btw see http://groups.msn.com/thegloryofrome

[Lex]

Thanks for the info guys.

With regards to Gordian III, what was the reason for his campaign in the East? Was it expansionist or had the Persians entered Roman territory? And what exactly were the details and consequences of the events that occured? And why did Philip opt to buy a peace-treaty, was it beacause he was too busy trying to consolidate his power?

 

Mars, nice group btw, I especially like what you did with the map section.