Battle of Edessa, 260 AD ⚔ How did a Roman emperor become a slave? ⚔ Birth of the Sasanian Empire

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🚩 Big thanks to Srpske Bitke / @srpskebitke and Dr.Byron Waldron for collaborating with me on this video.
📢 Narrated by David McCallion
📝 Written by Dr. Byron Waldron
🎼 Music:
Instinct - Bensound
Impact Allegretto - Kevin MacLeod
Crypto - Kevin MacLeod
Epidemic Sounds
Volatile Reaction - Kevin MacLeod
📚 Sources:
Carter, M. L. 1985: A Numismatic Reconstruction of Kushano-Sasanian History, Museum Notes (American Numismatic Society) 30, 215-281.
Dodgeon, M. H. & S. N. C. Lieu. (eds.). 1991: The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 226-363: A Documentary History, London & New York: Routledge.
Edwell, P. 2021: Rome and Persia at War: Imperial Competition and Contact, 193-363 CE, London & New York: Routledge.
Hauser, S. R. 2013: Where is the man of Hadr, who once built it and taxed the land by the Tigris and Chaboras? On the significance of the final siege of Hatra, in L. Dirven (ed.), Hatra: Politics, Culture and Religion between Parthia and Rome. Oriens et Occidens 21, Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag, 119-139.
Kettenhofen, E. 1982: Die römisch-persischen Kriege des 3. Jahrhunderts n. Chr.: nach der Inschrift Šāhpuhrs I. an der Ka’be-ye Zartošt (ŠKZ). Beihefte zum Tubinger Atlas des Vorderen Orients. Reihe B, Geisteswissenschaften, no. 55, Wiesbaden: Ludwig Reichert.
Kroll, T. (tr.). 1985: The Chronicle of Arbela. CSCO 468, Scriptores Syri 200, Leuven: Peeters Publishers.
MacDonald, D. 1981: The Death of Gordian III: Another Tradition, Historia 30.4, 502-508.
Mosig-Walburg, K. 2009: Römer und Perser: vom 3. Jahrhunderts bis zum Jahr 363 n. Chr., Gutenberg: Computus.
Piacentini, V. F. 1985: Ardashir I Papakan and the Wars against the Arabs: Working Hypothesis on the Sasanian Hold of the Gulf, Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 15, 57-77.
Potter, D. S. 1990: Prophecy and History in the Crisis of the Roman Empire: A Historical Commentary on the Thirteenth Sibylline Oracle, Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press.
Potter, D. S. 2018: Decius and Valerian, in D. W. Burgersdijk & A. J. Ross (eds.), Imagining Emperors in the Later Roman Empire. Cultural Interactions in the Mediterranean 1, Leiden: Brill.
#rome #history #documentary

[@HistoryMarche]

🚩 If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor BetterHelp. Click betterhelp.com/historymarche for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy with a licensed professional specific to your needs. 🚩 Support HistoryMarche on Patreon and get ad-free early access to our videos for as little as $1: www.patreon.com/historymarche

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Your Román videos are My favorites man! You're the Best! Please do Constantine the Great sometime! The milvian Bridget!🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[@beepboop204]

[@leetreys_lab7027]

your english, just be english, it sounds goofy as hell when you try to annunciate like persians

[@Ludogor75]

Persia, like Germany, was a very uncomfortable enemy for Rome. The Germans were strong in infantry, and the Persians were strong in cavalry. As a result, the Roman army began to train the infantry according to the German model, and the cavalry according to the Persian.

[@nicolaspinto76]

@@Ludogor75 the sassanid persia was a worse enemy that the germanics tribes, was a unified and very organized enemy

[@byronwaldron7933]

Hi all. I wrote the script for this video. I wanted to tell the story of the campaigns of Ardashir I and Shapur I, and I wanted to do it almost entirely from the Sasanian perspective. So, rather than tell the usual story of Rome in crisis (you’ve already seen me do that in the Aurelian and Satala videos), I contextualised the early Romano-Sasanian wars against the background of Sasanian expansion elsewhere, into Arabia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. I did this by reading Iranian, Arabic, Syriac and Armenian sources, alongside coins and inscriptions, as well as the usual Greek and Latin texts (and modern scholarship). I wish I had included Ardashir’s successful expedition into the Punjab and his victory over a Hunnic king, but I came across these less well known campaigns long after the script was finalised. Likewise, I only recently became aware of the evidence that the rulers of Sakastan were Ardashir’s allies, and that Ardashir’s stay in Sakastan thus would have been a peaceful stop-over during his campaign across eastern Iran. I should have also mentioned that, at Edessa, Shapur also captured the praetorian prefect as well as senators and senior military officers. As for the battle of Edessa, I offered a plausible reconstruction based on how the Sasanians usually fought their battles (including how they used cataphracts, archers, elephants, Dailamites, Paighan, etc), combined with 1) Shapur’s own testimony on the size and composition of the Roman army (he would have had good intel on their composition since he captured many of them!), 2) the testimony of Zosimus and Peter the Patrician on the negotiations, actions and conditions leading up to the battle, 3) the claims of Aurelius Victor and Peter the Patrician that Shapur defeated or deceived Valerian with a trick, and 4) Zonaras’ claim that Shapur used his superior numbers of cavalry to encircle the Roman line (the original version of the script made it clearer that I was offering a reconstruction based on these specific kinds of evidence). HistoryMarche did an excellent job producing this video, and I'm very proud of it.

[@user-pg9qb3wy7s]

Thank you for your work!

[@HistoryMarche]

If you guys enjoyed the narrative in this video, make sure to check out Byron's book amz.run/72yB

[@asmrnaturecat984]

Excellent, we truly admire your effort and perspectives I believe, you can ask help from those native speakers as they can provide you even deeper details

[@micahbonewell5994]

According to your research, how large was the Sassanian army at Edessa? It is depicted in the video as being larger than the roman one

[@byronwaldron7933]

@@micahbonewell5994 There's no real way of knowing. I presumed the map was depicting the Persians as being more spread out rather than a larger army, since their army very likely consisted of multiple lines of cataphracts with some distance between each line.

[@fsul8536]

Shapur was one busy king darting from one end of his empire to the other that would have taken weeks and months. The experience he gained from his father while campaigning was what made hime so successful.

[@Jean_Jacques148]

Yeah. Similar to Alexander fighting with his father Phillip.

[@artinrahideh1229]

Naaaaah, he was blessed by Ahuramazda.

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

@@artinrahideh1229 You mean the God of Time, isn't he God in Zoroastrianism, and the God of Light and Darkness are just his children?

[@artinrahideh1229]

@@user-cg2tw8pw7j oh no. That "god of time" is called "Zurvān"( literally meaning time, it is the root of Persian word for time which is "Zamān")and him being the ultimate source of creation through the creation of "Ahurā Mazdā"( literally meaning "Wise lord") and "Ahrīman"( it is the Persianized form of the Avestan word "angra mainyu" which means "the dark spirit" - the good and bad gods respectively - is something that came around much after the Zoroaster himself. This presentation of Zoroastrianism was founded during the Sasanian era( which also saw the birth of other Zoroastrian inspired religions such as the Manichean religion and Mazdakism. The latter is notable for its proto communist ideals). And is called Zurvānism. You can think of Zurvānism as a branch or offshoot of Zoroastrianism. In the teachings of Zoroaster himself( which are called Gathas and are actually ancient poems) there is no mention of Zurvān as the god of time. It's only used as meaning time. If you are wondering how are things in the original Zoroastrianism, it is mentioned various times in Gathas that Mazda is the being responsible for the creation of everything that exists. both good and evil( but the creation of evil is not said directly, you can only understand it indirectly). In Gathas, Ahurā Mazdā creates humans, creates their will and ability to think, and then creates the good and evil spirits that humans can choose from as also said by Zoroaster himself. But in later depictions, Ahrimans or the evil spirit is the opposing force of Ahurā Mazdā

[@kyko7040]

Depends on which Zoroastrian branch you're talking about, the one you're talking about was influenced by helcanic influence,

[@Sadistic-Pickle]

Shapur I was arguablly the greatest foe Rome ever faced outside of Hannibal. He uterrly destroyed massive Roman armies repeatedly, he was responsible for the first Sassanid Golden Age. I also like the fact that you highlighted the fact that it was never Shapurs intention to permanently hold many of the Roman territories he invaded, the objective was the destroy Roman resources, carry off plunder and prisoners to his own empire and win prestige for himself, he kept control of the conquests that actually mattered to him which were in Armenia and the eastern frontiers. The Third Century really was a terrible time for the Romans, thank god for Aurelian.

[@Jean_Jacques148]

Yeah the Romans probably respected him greatly.

[@aureliangepu636]

I know I was cool bro , that's why I am known as the restorer of the world 😂😂😂 . With respect your favourite emperor Aurelian 😂😂😂😂

[@eldersmufcat]

​@@aureliangepu636 bro you're aurelian gepu he was Marcus aurelia n

[@dshock85]

Thank god for Aurelian.....*Praetorian guards have entered the chat*

[@yashashgc3488]

and he defeated kushans, they were very powerful as well.

[@Fulgrim88]

"Shapurs better Antioch". Its fun to think that these ancient Emperors basically behaved like 14 year olds teabagging each other in CoD

[@iranshahrpower238]

I traveled to this city some time ago. The agricultural area is for growing garlic.😂😂

[@fairoboilawrence5287]

Sounds like Mehmet the ottoman who took Constantinople lol a petty little boy

[@maddogbasil]

*Sometimes people forget just how much of a machine early sassanids were....those cataphracts were insanely good*

[@artinrahideh1229]

Aswārān go brrrrrrr

[@seanbeckett4019]

I've become increasingly fascinated by Persian/Parthian cavalry, from the Achaemenids to the Sassanians.

[@KoroushRP]

@@seanbeckett4019Parthians were Persian too and claimrd ancestry from the Achaemenid Persians and Cyrus the great

[@phuntshodorji3903]

​@@KoroushRPthey were Iranian not Persian.

[@KoroushRP]

@@phuntshodorji3903 they claimed ancestry from the Persians, making them Persian.

[@proconsul6840]

Good to see this battle finally covered in high quality, and a portrayal of the truth that the Romans were severely outnumbered and outmatched in this battle. The Iranian-Roman wars are some of the most interesting in history in, so a video covering these events is always welcome.

[@grandimperialmajestyoftheg4704]

True Clash of Titans!

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

The Romans: Yes, I number my armies in Europe, which are few.

[@artinrahideh1229]

Repeated skirmishes led to a new war in 260:“And in the third campaign, we set upon Carrhae and Edessa, and as we were besieging Carrhae and Edessa, Valerian Caesar came against us, and with him was a force [later specified as totaling 70,000] from the province (hštr) of the Goths and Germans [most Roman provinces are named]. And on the far side [= west] of Carrhae and Edessa a great battle took place for us with Valerianus Caesar. And we with our own hands took Valerian Caesar prisoner and the rest who were the commanders of this army, the Praetorian Prefect, and the senators, and the officers all of these we took prisoners and we led them away into Persis (Pārs). And we burned with fire, and we ravaged, and we took captive and we conquered the province of Syria, and the province of Cilicia, and the province of Cappadocia. And in that campaign we conquered from the Roman Empire [thirty-six cities are named with their dependent districts]. And we led the men from the Roman Empire, namely, from the Anērān [un-Iranian lands], away with the booty; and we settled them in our own Iranian empire-- in Persis, Parthia and in Ḵuzestān and in Āsōristān [=Babylonia], and in the other provinces, province by province, whenever we, or our father, or our forefathers or our ancestors had royal estates” (Maricq, 1965, pp. 52-6; Back, pp. 306-29: Huyse I, pp. 33-43; detailed commentary in Kettenhofen, pp. 97-126). They had 70000 and were outnumbered and outmatched severely?! I don't really think so. Specially given that Roman records of this era are very paradoxical.

[@TheChosen2030]

Am sure romans outnumbered the Persians in this battle

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

@@artinrahideh1229 This is natural, the Romans have huge numbers of European Samadites who were serving in the Roman army

[@spenceralbin344]

How Adashur was able to go across his empire to fight and then go back to the other side to maintain control of that territory is amazing. Keeping the army strong and motivated and logistically supplied. Well Done Video by HistoryMarche.

[@NixonRules963]

Literally meaning "Shapur's Better Antioch". That is a new level of badass pettiness lol.

[@thatindiandude4602]

Wasn't Khosrow petty too? Is it a Sasssanian trait?

[@kaylethstarbane7800]

Shapur I was not playing around. Damn dude was a badass, easily one of the greatest foes Rome has faced.

[@thatindiandude4602]

He had a great father in Ardashir as well.

[@yaqubleis6311]

He was Rome worst nightmare

[@utkucakr2174]

Roman military intelligence on Shapur: “In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit.”

[@grandimperialmajestyoftheg4704]

"Sassanid Irania" was Imperial Rome's most powerful enemy. No Civilisation caused more defeats than the Persians did.

[@yaqubleis6311]

Parthian Empire and Sassanian Empire and also don’t forget the Pontic Empire kings were also Iranian Persian origin descendants of Cyrus the Great

[@ares106]

A more appropriate title for this video would be "The Rise of the Sasanids and the Battle of Edessa 260AD".

[@EspenShampoo25]

god damn, Ardashir was playing total war at easy dificulty!

[@user-ki4py7xu2i]

😂😂😂

[@Taffy_.]

😂😂😂

[@saifkhan6560]

I'd like to see more of the campaign's of the Sassanians in their Eastern territories.

[@byronwaldron7933]

Hi there. I wrote the Edessa video. I'd love there to be a video on this topic, but there aren't enough details to make a video in the format of a HistoryMarche video. We know a few things about what likely happened and when (e.g. Sasanian expansion into Kabulistan, Arachosia and Sogdiana in the late 240s, expansion into Gandhara and capture of Vasishka in mid-260s), largely based on coins and inscriptions, but we don't have many details with which to produce a narrative.

[@shaheen7995]

Ardashair himself deserves a separate series alone. Look how many empires he conquered. The great empires of the ancient world. You should make a serious on his conquests if possible.😊

[@resentfuldragon]

They should do one like the hannibal series for him, it would be awesome.

[@byronwaldron7933]

I'm the writer for this video. An Ardashir series would be excellent, but unfortunately we don't have enough details on his battles to suit the HistoryMarche format.

[@alirezarezaei2976]

@@byronwaldron7933 Yeah sadly Persia's history is not like western empires history In fact everything we know today about them came from their enemies and their sources more or less got utterly destroyed by the later Arab invaders and later on by the Mongols and Turks

[@darthpigeon]

​@@byronwaldron7933make one on Shapur II pls

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

@@alirezarezaei2976 History: Why did the Arabs destroy the sources? When did this happen?

[@loner1562]

There are rock reliefs across Iran showcasing some of the Sassanian history and in particular the victory of Edessa portraying the shah on horse back, Philip the Arab kneeling in front of him and emperor Valerian standing in gesture , it's located in the province of Fars(Basically Persis from the ancient times but smaller), relatively close to Persepolis. They also made sure to carve some of the reliefs next to those of the Achaemenids. It's also very interesting to see how many of the ancient city names from the Sassanian era have remained exactly the same throughout all the centuries with minimal changes. I also read somewhere that the very bridge the romans built in Iran is still standing to this date but unfortunately with the current regime, the least thing they care about is Iran itself...

[@zippyparakeet1074]

Under the current regime, Iran is under Islamist occupation. They need to be overthrown.

[@nebulairan1494]

فعلا رژیم فعلی مقابل همین قدرتمندان جدید ایستاده و یک وجب از خاک رو نداده و آمریکا رو بارها تحقیر کرده ولی رژیم قبل که پهلوی بود بحرین و آرارات و هیرمند رو به دشمن واگذار کرد و توان مقابله با ضعیف ترین دولتها رو نداشت

[@anto-sk4ce]

The thing that fascinates me is that the sassanian empire is what the roman empire is in Western europe

[@byronwaldron7933]

There's also: The relief in Bishapur, which has Gordian's corpse beneath Shapur's horse, Valerian standing and being held by the wrist, and Philip kneeling. The relief in Rag-e Bibi, which shows Shapur and a captive Kushan king, likely Vasishka.

[@anto-sk4ce]

@@byronwaldron7933 Like i Said in the comment i think that sassanian and roman empire are very similar and this is Like trajan's column or stuff Like that

[@user-ff9gy6tt1m]

I am a Iranian I remember my teacher told this story when I was in seventh grade it brought me some national pride knowing that Persia was able to defeat rome

[@BH02377]

😂

[@hardtardbard7]

Yes, but today Persia weak from religious manipulation

[@KanuniSuleyman4857]

​@@hardtardbard7 then why Americans didn't invade Persia if they were weak?? 😂

[@spartacus2650]

​@@KanuniSuleyman4857because our leaders have no intent on invading it. They rather drain the American middle class of all it's money and shooting it's missiles that costs millions at people who shouldn't even be shot at. If the US wanted we can invade just about anyone but in my opinion we should just stay to ourselves and let the world deal and fend for itself

[@ghostmg2245]

During the Sasanian period, it was prophesied that after this period of centuries (I think 14 centuries) Iran will suffer many hardships, and it happened that the Arabs, Mongols and other countries attacked Iran. This prophecy was written on a stone tablet that is now kept in the Louvre Museum in France@@hardtardbard7

[@PersianImmortal1]

Youre the first one covering this battle in English. You have done a great job thanks!

[@marzbanofmerv2324]

Just some pronunciation notes, The Gilans is pronounced Geelans and G as in Gum, Paighan is Paa-ye-Gun same G as Gilan, it literally means Foot Regiment and Pushtigban is Posh-tig(h)-ban, which means supporter or defender.

[@artinrahideh1229]

Shapur and his father Ardashir-i-Pābagān are also important religious figures in Zoroastrianism. Ardashir was supposedly from a lineage of Anahita temple priests. And Shapur paid special attention on collecting and joining the lost separated parts of the great Avestā( Zoroastrian religious book)

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

How does a being become so rich and powerful that he defeats the ruler of a city? This is very strange, and how he created a very, very strong army to defeat the Parthian kings.

[@artinrahideh1229]

@@user-cg2tw8pw7j first of all, we will never know precise details of the rise of the Sasanians. Just as usual, when it comes to ancient Iranians we don't have that much reliable info. Specially given that they themselves combined truth with legend for various reasons. Secondly, Ardashir might have been a prince instead of a priest' son( there are many accounts of his life). So him becoming the big guy is not that strange if that is the case( much more strange than that is Cyrus the great who strated his campaigns in a very similar position and defeated 3 superpowers!). And finally, there was a power vacuum in the region. Parthians had so many times fought internally that you get surprised to know how long they managed to rule with such a system. Everything was set for a satrap or vassal to come and take over just like the way Parthians themselves had. Ardashir was no fool, he started to rival with city governors( which wasn't something the king of kings cared for) first and took'em down one by one. Then when he saw the isolation amoung the ruling class, he attacked the satraps as their overlords were fighting each other. And finally when he was strong enough he fought the king of kings himself. I haven't seen any of Ardashir's campings available in detail but the battle of Hormozdgan is talked about in Islamic sources( no idea how reliable they are though): it is said that Artabanus and Ardashir met each other and agreed upon a specific date and place to fight. Ardashir did not wait untill the time to go, rather he went there earlier, occupying the higher ground and denying the surrounding area of any food to forage and any water to gather. When the day of battle came, he had many advantages that finally secured his Victory

[@darthpigeon]

​@@user-cg2tw8pw7jhe was of royal blood from his mother's sife and and his fatherbwas high ranking priest if I'm not mistaken, and by loyal blood I mean local rulers of persis

[@seyityilmaz6301]

what's even more strange is that some sources claim that he is one of the Alexander the great's grand kids that born in Persia.

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

@@seyityilmaz6301 Strange, Arab and Persian sources say that his mother was one of the sons of kings and his father was the high priest in a Parsi city.

[@yaqubleis6311]

The real nightmare of Roman Empire he sacked more than 70 Roman cities more than anybody in history

[@md.shariqulreedoy5096]

The story of Shapur beating Valerian's army is mindboggling to me. I am deeply thrilled to see a tenacious Persian army defeating a Roman one with such dominance and ferocity. Thanks to the video maker, HistoryMarche.

[@EruElessar]

Thanks for producing this video. Very insightful.

[@user-qe3hl7ql6b]

Glad you finally covered the Battle of Edessa. Shapur I is one of the most unknown great generals of ancient history, in my opinion he has a position equal to Pyrrhus of Epirus.

[@Sadistic-Pickle]

Shapur was a much better general than Pyrrhus

[@sanele2948]

@@Sadistic-Picklegotta remember the Roman of Augustus and Trajan was very very different from the Rome of the late third century. By this time the majority of the Roman army was made up by mostly barbarians.

[@miquelr2353]

From this battle i dont see how

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

​@@sanele2948In the era of Trajan failed to invade the Parthians and defeated

[@artinrahideh1229]

Pyrrhus? That loser is not even qualified to lick the golden boots of Shapur I Sasanians had some of the best kings ever. Shapur II, Khosrow tye immortal soul and many others. And the clothing.....

[@pour94]

Finally you created a content from our victory in warfares. Thanks a lot 🙏

[@MehrAryaBoveiry-bg2vf]

The roman soldiers couldn't be sick because of plague,because after capturing roman soldiers,there is no sign of plague in the land that shapour send them to build the bridge

[@thecrusaderhistorian9820]

Excellent video! The Sasanian Empire is one of my favorite empires in history!

[@seyedhasanzolanvar]

I am amazed by the level of details and quality you've put in this. I was born in modern day fars province and have visited the necropolis of Naghsh-i-Rustam depicting Shapur's victory over Valerian; Such a joy to watching your video and learning some wonderful piece of information about the true story behind that rocky scene.

[@majidbasafa2783]

as an Iranian who knows history seeing this quality content makes me enjoy and fright of that father and son at the same time

[@YamaXI]

They were nothing without men, fear the men and the armies. Not the heads that do nothing but hide behind lines and direct men to suicide.

[@user-fl5mq9kp7g]

​@@YamaXIBut he was the one who led the plans. He defeated the Kushans and the Huns

[@antoniotorcoli5740]

According to some sources, Valerian was captured together with all his army. That means that he capitulated

[@jangjueparsi9915]

Valerian tried to flee without his Army and was captured a few km away from Edessa by Sassanid Horseman after his Army was defeated

[@byronwaldron7933]

A selection of Roman sources avoid mentioning the battle, but this is the typical obfuscation displayed in Late Roman sources (they don't even acknowledge Misiche and Barbalissos). Other Roman sources, specifically Aurelian Victor, Peter the Patrician and Zonaras, make clear that there was a battle and provide certain details about what happened, and this is confirmed by Iranian sources.

[@antoniotorcoli5740]

@@byronwaldron7933 indeed. But later roman prisoners build huge dam. They were numerous then. A capitulation is not to be escluded, also taking into account that all the main officers were captured.

[@byronwaldron7933]

@@antoniotorcoli5740 There was presumably a mass capitulation during or after their defeat on the battlefield, but note that many prisoners would have also been collected over many years, from battles like Barbalissos and sackings like Antioch.

[@chakraborty1989]

​@@jangjueparsi9915 The above narration seems like Roman Cope. They want to save their reputation by putting all the blame on Valerian by saying either he is too simple/coward to trust and surrender infront of Shapur and under "able" leadership Roman would have won. Same trick was used in case of Gordian III as well, Philip betraying and usurping the throne is more respectful than saying that he was KIA in a war against Persian. The only exception was Julian, thought probably because he was a pagan and hated by the court writters, had he been a Christian emperor, "Roman Sources" would have written that he was on the verge of victory before Jovian assassinated him and took the title for himself .

[@FightCommentary]

Another great work from one of my favorite channels!

[@joeshmoe8345]

Thanks for sharing y’all!

[@resileaf9501]

I haven't heard some of the music used in the video in a while. Reminds me of older days when the channel started. This is a blast from the past in many ways. :)

[@pnklysmooth9888]

The content on this channel is AMAZING! Subscribed!

[@Nimno74]

I spent a significant portion of the episode waiting for the misuse of the word decimated, I was not disappointed.

[@adamjunior54]

Thank you very much, the creativity in your videos is unbelievable💜💜💜💜

[@OytheGreat]

These videos are so, so good. Thank you for enriching our knowledge with not only details about a battle, but a introduction shaping the necessary context as well as an outro to show the ripples of the outcome of one such battle. It's this context and the huge effects it had on further history that sets your channel apart. As a history enthusiast, this is gold.

[@Abidon88]

Great content as always 👌

[@danielhoseinpoor2681]

Thanks for the video ❤

[@LazyFloridian]

I very much appreciate all the "big picture" background before you get to the battles. Wonderful content!

[@davidhughes8357]

Just so interesting. Always. Don't know how else put it. Thank you!!

[@georgizagorchev9655]

Keep up the hard work, my friend! I love your videos! Best wishes from Bulgaria!

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you so much for the support. Very kind of you.

[@mrnash6086]

thank for support, most of iranian/persian cant support becuse of limitation, i really loved this viode

[@whoareyouyouareclearlylost323]

Thank you for this ❤. Beautiful content ❤

[@patricklioneljonson2747]

Wife: how often do you think of the Roman Empire Me, while watching History Marche: ........ uh.

[@MrMenuga]

I love History marche

[@psychedexplorer163]

Very good 👍 ❤ Make more of Persian battles 👌

[@thehoerscorral8565]

Always great, thanks for more top shelf contento 👍

[@SmiteGameplayKIll3R]

THANK YOU SO MUCH.... as iranian im so greatfull for your videos about old persian that i cant find anywhere...i watched all of your videos and love them thanks for full episodes they are amazing... keep up the good work...and god bless you.(my only request is if you can do a long video on assassins and they leader in deep so we can undrestand them more ty)

[@helicongremory8480]

I think the Cesarea that was sacked is probably in Cappadocia, not the Palestinian one.

[@jangjueparsi9915]

Yes it is Caesaria in Cappadocia, you are right

[@byronwaldron7933]

Yes, the animator made a mistake. Additionally, Sogdiana should be north of Bactria.

[@KHK001]

Great video as always HM!

[@robbabcock_]

Truly wonderful video! ⚔🔥🙌

[@gregorylittle1461]

Another great presentation!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your videos man! And i humbly give this comment as a sacrifice to the algorithm!

[@constantinvasiliev2065]

Thank you for great content

[@skullijaga2586]

Nice Video as always ❤

[@Grabacr-pl3wy]

Those names are a mouthful. Impressive he speaks them so smooth.

[@artinrahideh1229]

And he says them wrong( most of them)

[@fanzy1338]

This was a fascinating documentary. I’d like to see more of the Persian empires such as Achamaenids and Parthians.

[@-Physicist-]

Achaemenid and Sassanids were of Persian origin. Parthians and Medes are not Persian. You must write the date correctly.

[@fanzy1338]

@@-Physicist- They are collectively called the Iranian empires which includes many other empires beside the ones you mentioned.

[@-Physicist-]

@@fanzy1338 I know they are all Iranian empires, so I said they are not Persians. Persians are one of dozens of Iranian people. You used an ethnic race to describe other races. This is scientifically incorrect. If you want, research what Iranian means and what Persian means.

[@fanzy1338]

@@-Physicist- Persian is not an ethnic race! In fact Iranians never referred to their land as Persia. That’s the name Greeks called Iran due to their interactions with the Persians hence Persia and Iran became synonymous and used interchangeably. However Iranians have always called their land Iran or other cognates of it since the ancient times.

[@-Physicist-]

@@fanzy1338 are you stupid? Many ancient peoples, such as the Greeks, Romans, Armenians and Assyrians, recorded the Persians separately, the Medes and the Parthians separately. The simplest example is Herodotus, who classified the Medes as a separate nation and said that the Persians adopted their culture. In other words, in ancient times, everyone knew that these nations were separate. Another example is that the Parthians did not even directly share the same beliefs with the Persians and they banned the Persian language during their reign, they had a different culture from the Persian culture.

[@RagnaCloud13]

Gallienus: sorry dad, I cannot rescue you from now on.

[@SaintCuthbertoftheCudgel]

One of my favorite channels.

[@mehmetcancakt6241]

Truly wonderful video

[@lordhosseinlh]

i read somewhere that 60% to 65% of all causalities done on to the Romans by others was done to by the Persians

[@chriscattelino8169]

"Protect your body" but the bad guy pointed the gun at his head. Riiiiiiiight.

[@Ludogor75]

Persia, like Germany, was a very uncomfortable enemy for Rome. The Germans were strong in infantry, and the Persians were strong in cavalry. As a result, the Roman army began to train the infantry according to the German model, and the cavalry according to the Persian.

[@ariaslamb7789]

In the best game Total War, the Roman infantry is very strong in terms of defense

[@tikusjauuuwa7731]

Germanic are much much better compared to anything. They don't need military genius to compete. Cimbrian war are prove, they're destined to be the best warriors soon afterwards

[@sultanmomenofzenata177]

wrong

[@macellaio5452]

​@@tikusjauuuwa7731the Cimbir were exterminated, not that the extermination of a people is a good thing

[@Jesus_in_Talmud]

rome and Persians in past : empires rome amd Persians now : pizza vs juja kabab 😂

[@Getsruffed1234]

Love these videos thx ur awesome 😎

[@Thyranel]

Great video!

[@the_farrow9549]

I hope you shift your attention to Persia, a great and rich land full of stories to be told and many battles to be animated, I know I will be watching them all

[@KingDanny9]

Rome never truly recovered from this. I know Byzantium lived on but Rome itself would collapse about 126 years later.

[@jangjueparsi9915]

Shapur I. was one of greatest Generals of the 3rd century AD.

[@mcdona22]

Love these

[@Promethium666]

These ancient roman battles are really interesting and I love how you present and narrate everything, well done sir, please keep them coming!

[@mantiswill]

HANNIBAL!!HANNIBAL!!HANIBALL!!!! pleaseeee complete his series fast

[@aragongashi3210]

Great video this. Btw, when will Scanderbeg parts come out?

[@conorjm11]

Your content is just so, so good. Brilliantly researched (obviously), phenomenally presented in an accessible but in-depth way. Fantastic stuff

[@barryboushehri1707]

Excellent video.

[@semp224]

Shapur had an elite army. Bannerlord situation would be a good 120 men vs 500 men of mixed quality

[@Cade423]

best history channel❤🥰

[@Sina-sd6qp]

These very important battles are covered in KZbin for the first time. Thank You very much for that. Though so much was covered in just one video. it could have been a series. Also, you didn't mention that Ardeshir saw his war with the Romans as a holy war. The crown of Shapoor on its profile picture is also not accurate at all. lastly, Shapoor built a Roman like town in Bishapoor for Valerian so he can feel at home. I also think Valerian capitulated and didn't really fight. Would be nice to mention the sources. Thank You again for this really great video 🎉❤

[@aregevoyan676]

Respect to Iranian history from Armenia🇦🇲

[@shapur_II]

Our beloved brothers🫂

[@christophermaciver9428]

Nice Video !!!

[@HCH303]

nice Video, well done

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

Thank you for this video. Brilliant video. Sassanids the fearst foe of the eastern roman empire. Brilliant video. We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos. Your huge fan from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. I think shapur and khosrow ii were the best and greatest foes of romans apart from hannibal and attila .

[@Vinilupus]

Excelente vídeo!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jonbotten8106]

Well done!

[@user-pk3iv5wi2q]

Love your videos Cheerrs mate

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

Great stuff 👍

[@HistoryMarche]

Thanks 👍

[@lemonacidrounds7293]

3:12 OK, that's very impressive. He defeated everyone.

[@gahealthadvisor]

Love your videos

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

It was an informative and wonderful historical coverage video about the parthyian empire internal wars by Ardasher from 224 to 260 AD .thank you ( history Marche) channel for sharing

[@Ilvnbeles]

In Latin C is always pronounced as a K. Pronouncing it CH is from more modern Italian. Cilicia would be pronounced Kilikia. PD: In modern day english would be "Silisia".

[@lerneanlion]

Thanks for another video about the Roman-Persian War! It may not be like the war between Emperor Heraclius and Shah Khosrow II that can be adapted as an alternative for the Rumbling in Attack on Titan but how Shah Shapur I defeated Emperor Valerian is still a great victory and an amazing achivement nonetheless! Also, seeing what Shah Shapur I did make me wonder that can Hannibal did the same or not. By plundering across the Italian peninsula before reaching Rome and holding the entire city and its population as hostages to force the Roman Senate to surrender, will such a plan worked?

[@asmrnaturecat984]

No, hannibal couldn't do that, he doesn't have manpower from carthageand by the time of zama, most of his troops are gauls and italian. Hence, he couldn't raid any italian cities as he depend on them Shapur on the other hand have full control of vast rich empire of trade, agriculture and manpower Not to mention that he doesn't need to take care of the loyalty of his troopsas they are fellow iranian and not the same people as the roman

[@lerneanlion]

@@asmrnaturecat984 What about the idea of occupying Rome with the threat of destroying it? Will that be enough to convince the Roman Senate to sue for peace?

[@manuelapollo7988]

Great work

[@ufoBob]

Shapur was a great king and the greatest opponent Rome ever had. Thx for the vid.

[@ramtin5152]

You know that "superior number of cavalry" doesn't mean the army itself was superior in numbers, right ? The bulk of the Iranian armies was their cavalries while the bulk of the Roman armies was their infantry (even during the Byzantine era) so it's natural that they had more cavalry than Romans The Sassanid army in this video is shown double the size of the Roman army of 70,000 men While it's true that the total number of the Sassanid troops was between 100,000-120,000/150,000, they were spread throughout the whole empire The number of the main Sassanid army led by a Shahanshah himself and his royal guards, the Immortals, couldn't have been more than anything between 40,000 to 50,000 (specially the early Sassanid empire) The rest were needed elsewhere to defend the provinces and to keep the order I mean who brings every soldier in the empire to a raiding campaign specially with many enemies inside and outside of the empire ? Not even the Achaemenid Shahanshahs brought that much soldiers to battle Take a look at the battle of Cunaxa for example Ardeshir II (Artaxerxes II) brought only 40,000 men to the battle against his brother, Cyrus the younger Check out the modern estimates of battles of Issus and Thymbra

[@user-rp9ps1eq9k]

May Ahora bless shapur and all persian in history

[@msshingo3577]

fun fact .search shapour and valerian photos and enjoy

[@Mordacitas7]

Shapur having captured both Valerius and the Kushan king, do you think the three of them were ever together? Got to imagine that was one of the most interesting dinner parties of all time…

[@nikzad2167]

Well made video as always. I must admit I've stopped watching other history channels, yet I cannot ignore HM's new updates

[@jason200912]

Operations room is my favorite of all.

[@coyote4237]

Thank you.