Siege of Singara
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Singara was fought in 344
between Roman
and Sassanid Persian forces. The Romans were led by Emperor Constantius II
, while the Persian army was led by King Shapur II of Persia. The Persians were attempting to take the fortress of Singara
, but were not successful.
and recaptured Armenia. From there he started his first campaign against Constantius II
, a campaign which was mostly unsuccessful for Shapur II.
province and eastern cities of the Sassanid Empire. Hearing the news of nomadic raids, the Roman resistance and the fact that his military force was not sufficient to hold the captured cities discouraged Shapur and made him lift the siege.
, to accompany Shapur in the war against the Romans. He then started his second campaign against Romans in year 359
, a campaign that was overwhelmingly successful for the Sassanid Persians and a total of five Roman provinces were ceded to Persians.
344
Year 344 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Leontius and Bonosus...
between Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and Sassanid Persian forces. The Romans were led by Emperor Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
, while the Persian army was led by King Shapur II of Persia. The Persians were attempting to take the fortress of Singara
Singara
Singara was a strongly fortified post at the northern extremity of Mesopotamia, which for a while, as appears from many coins still extant, was occupied by the Romans as an advanced colony against the Persians...
, but were not successful.
Background
When Shapur II took control of the Sassanid Empire he sought to regain old territories previously lost to the Eastern Roman Empire. After crushing Lakhmid Arabs rebellion in the south, he headed toward MesopotamiaMesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
and recaptured Armenia. From there he started his first campaign against Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
, a campaign which was mostly unsuccessful for Shapur II.
Battle
Shortly after besieging Singara, eastern nomadic tribes attacked and plundered TransoxianaTransoxiana
Transoxiana is the ancient name used for the portion of Central Asia corresponding approximately with modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, southern Kyrgystan and southwest Kazakhstan. Geographically, it is the region between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers...
province and eastern cities of the Sassanid Empire. Hearing the news of nomadic raids, the Roman resistance and the fact that his military force was not sufficient to hold the captured cities discouraged Shapur and made him lift the siege.
Outcome and Aftermath
Shapur in conclusion of his unsuccessful campaign against Roman empire, signed a peace treaty with Constantius II in which both sides agreed not to attack each others territory for a limited period of time. The peace treaty gave Shapur security he needed in the western borders of the Sassanid empire and assurance for his forward campaign against nomads. He began eastern campaign and after a prolonged struggle he recaptured those areas previously lost to Sassands and forced nomads to conclude a peace. He also made their king, GrumbatesGrumbates
Grumbates was a king of the Chionitae, an ancient nomadic tribe of Transoxiana.It has been suggested that Grumbates is an Iranian name.-Sources:*...
, to accompany Shapur in the war against the Romans. He then started his second campaign against Romans in year 359
359
Year 359 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Eusebius and Hypatius...
, a campaign that was overwhelmingly successful for the Sassanid Persians and a total of five Roman provinces were ceded to Persians.