bgr_504526 - SASSANIAN - SASSANIAN KINGDOM - SHAPUR II Drachme

SASANIAN - SASANIAN KINGDOM - SHAPUR II

(309-379)

Sapor II is the grandson of Narses (293-302), the unfortunate adversary of Diocletian and Galerius. He is the youngest son of Hormazd II (303-309) and the brother of Ardashir II (379-383) who will succeed him. Sapor II's reign is one of the longest in Sasanian history, nearly seventy years. He had to fight against the Romans, from Constantine I to Valentinian I, with varying success. He must recognize Hanniballien as king of Armenia (335). But after the disastrous campaign of Julien II where the latter finds death (363), Jovian his successor must sign an advantageous truce for the Sassanid. To the east, he confronts the Kushans who become his vassals. Under his reign, persecutions against Jews and Christians resumed.