Mars

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

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.

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

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.

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.