Perso-Roman Peace Treaty of 363

The Peace Treaty of 363 between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Sassanid Persian Empire was the consequent treaty from the Julian's Persian War. Upon Emperor Julian's death, the newly elected Emperor, Jovian, was forced into signing a humiliating treaty by which territorial and diplomatic concessions were given to the Persians.[1][2]

Background

Julian's preparations

After his accession to the Roman throne in A.D. 361, Emperor Julian decided to reinitiate the war against Sasanid Persia. Over the winter of 362-63 Julian established his quarters in Antioch, and as soon as spring arrived he was ready to take the field. Within a month of his departure from Antioch, a force of around 80,000 had been assembled at Carrhae.[3] This army under Julian marched swiftly south-east along the river on route to Ctesiphon, the enemy capital.[4] The remainder of the Roman forces, with the aid of the King of Armenia Arshak II, was ordered to effect a junction with the emperor before the walls of Ctesiphon, marching by way of Nisibis and along the Tigris.[5]

Progress of the war

The southern arm of the Roman invasion met with some initial success. The Tigris was crossed, and the Persian army which contested its passage was defeated and penned up in Ctesiphon.[6] After a vain attempt to penetrate further east to Susa, which Julian was forced to abandon his fleet and most of his provisions,[6] he was at length convinced that no option remained to him but a retreat.[7]

On 26 June 363, during the Battle of Samarra, Julian was wounded.[8] His death that night,[9] and the subsequent election by the troops of Jovian as his successor,[10] seemed to secure the end of the campaign. Jovian led the Roman legions to Dura.[11] By the time they had arrived their provisions were exhausted and their attempts to cross the Tigris failed.[11] Jovian, having no recourse, petitioned Shapur for peace.[11]

Terms of the treaty

The terms of the treaty were:

See also

References
  1. Dignas & Winter 2007, p. 131.
  2. Potter 2004, p. 520, 527.
  3. Bowersock 1978, p. 108.
  4. Bowersock 1978, p. 110.
  5. Browning 1978, p. 196.
  6. Curran 1998, p. 75.
  7. Dodgeon & Lieu 2002, p. 205.
  8. Curran 1998, p. 76.
  9. Browning 1978, p. 243.
  10. Browning 1978, p. 216.
  11. Curran 1998, p. 79.
  12. Elton 2018, p. 120.
  13. Ostrogorsky 1995, p. 51.

Sources
  • Bowersock, Glen Warren (1978). Julian the Apostate. Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-48881-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Browning, Robert (1978). The Emperor Julian. University of California Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Curran, John (1998). "From Jovian to Theodosius". In Cameron, Averil; Garnsey, Peter (eds.). The Cambridge Ancient History: The Late Empire, A.D. 337-425. XIII (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 78-110. ISBN 0 521 30200 5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Dignas, Beate; Winter, Engelbert (2007). Rome & Persia in Late Antiquity; Neighbours & Rivals. Cambridge University Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Dodgeon, Michael H.; Lieu, Samuel N.C., eds. (2002). The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars. Routledge.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Elton, Hugh (2018). The Roman Empire in Late Antiquity: A Political and Military History. Cambridge University Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Ostrogorsky, George (1995). History of the Byzantine State (4th ed.). Rutgers University Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Potter, David S. (2004). The Roman Empire at Bay, AD 180-395. Taylor & Francis Group.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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