Exploring the intricate dynamics of conflict, diplomacy, religion, and trade, this book delves into the interactions between Rome and Sasanian Persia during the third and fourth centuries AD. It highlights how these elements shaped political and cultural exchanges, offering insights into the complexities of ancient power struggles and the influence of religious beliefs on international relations.
This book delves into the conflict, diplomacy, religion, and trade between Rome and Sasanian Persia during the third and fourth centuries AD. This era witnessed unprecedented military confrontations compared to the Parthian period, alongside a significant increase in contact between the two empires, which contributed to heightened tensions. The author explores both warfare and diplomacy, trade, and religious interactions as avenues through which these powers vied for control over contested territories and populations. Additionally, the text examines internal dynamics within both empires that shaped their rivalry, while also highlighting the roles of regional powers like the Armenians, Palmyrenes, and Arabs in the interactions between these two superpowers. Utilizing a diverse range of sources, the book emphasizes numismatic evidence, often overlooked in contemporary studies that typically focus on literary and epigraphic materials. This work is the first English monograph to provide a thorough and critical analysis of the competition and contact between Rome and the early Sasanians in the Near East, integrating literary, archaeological, numismatic, and epigraphic evidence. It serves as an essential resource for scholars interested in Rome, Persia, and the broader Near East during Late Antiquity.