Shapur I: Difference between revisions
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| royal house= [[Sassanid|Sasan]] |
| royal house= [[Sassanid|Sasan]] |
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| father= [[Ardeshir I]] |
| father= [[Ardeshir I]] |
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| mother= Lady |
| mother= Lady Myrôd, an [[Arsacid]] descent |
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| date of birth= ''c.'' [[215]] CE |
| date of birth= ''c.'' [[215]] CE |
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| place of birth= ''possibly'' [[Firuzabad]] |
| place of birth= ''possibly'' [[Firuzabad]] |
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| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
| place of burial= Unknown |
| place of burial= Unknown |
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}} |
}} |
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[[Image:Crest of Gondopharr (according to Iranian sources).JPG|thumb|right|150px|<center>Crest of [[Shapur I]]<ref>E. E. Herzfeld, ''Iran in the Ancient East'' New York (1988), p310., ISBN:0-87817-308-0 </ref>; as well as King [[Gondophares]]<ref>Chantal Fabrégues, ''The Indo-Parthian Beginnings of Gandhara Sculpture'', ([http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Art/indo_parthian_gandhara.htm ''LINK'']); accessed March 07, 2007</ref>]] |
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'''Shapur I''' ([[Persian language|Persian]] '''شاپور اول'''), was the second [[Sassanid]] King of the [[Sassanid Empire|Second Persian Empire]]. The dates of his reign are commonly given as [[241]] - [[272]], but it is likely that he also reigned as co-regent (together with his father) prior to his father's death in 241. |
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'''Shapur I''' ([[Persian language|Persian]] '''شاپور اول'''), son of [[Ardashir I]] (226–241), was [[Sassanid dynasty|King of Persia]] from [[241]] to [[272]]. His mother was Lady Myrôd<ref>Shapur Shahbazi, ''Shapur I, the Great'', ([http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/History/Sasanian/shapour_I.htm ''LINK'']); accessed March 07, 2007.</ref>, an [[Arsacid Dynasty|Arsacid]] princess.<ref>''Ibid.''</ref><ref>E. E. Herzfeld, ''Iran in the Ancient East'' New York (1988), p287., ISBN:0-87817-308-0 </ref> |
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==Early years== |
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Shapur was the son of [[Ardeshir I]] (''r.'' 226–241), the founder of the Sassanid dynasty and whom Shapur succeeded. Although his mother, Lady Myrōd,<ref name="EI">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Shahbazi|first=Shapur|title=Shapur I|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica|url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/sup/Shapur_I.html|year=2003|publisher=Mazda|location=Cosa Mesa|accessdate=2007}}</ref> was an [[Arsacid]] princess,<ref>{{cite book|first=E. E.|last=Herzfeld|title=Iran in the Ancient East|location=New York|year=1988|id=ISBN 0-87817-308-0}} p. 287.</ref> Shapur accompanied his father's campaigns against the Parthians, who - at the time - still controlled much of the [[Iranian plateau]] through a system of vassal states that the [[Fars|Persian kingdom]] had itself previously been a part of. |
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== Co-rulership == |
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Before an assembly of magnates, Ardeshir "judged him the gentlest, wisest, bravest and ablest of all his children"<ref name="EI" /> and nominated him as his successor. Shapur also appears as heir apparent in Ardeshir's investiture inscriptions at [[Naqsh-e Rajab]] and Firuzabad. The Cologne [[Mani (prophet)|Mani]] Codex indicates that, by 240, Ardeshir and Shapur were already reigning together.<ref name="EI" /> In a letter from [[Gordian III]] to his senate, dated to 242, the "Persian Kings" are referred to in the plural. Synarchy is also evident in the coins of this period that portray Ardashir facing his youthful son, and which are accompanied by a legend that indicates that Shapur was already referred to as king. |
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Shapur I was the son of [[Ardashir I of Persia|Ardashir I]] and ''Lady Myrôd''. He participated in his father's campaign against the [[Arsacids]]. Ardashir I "judged him the gentlest, wisest, bravest and ablest of all his children" and nominated him as his successor in an assembly of the magnates. He appears in Ardashir I's [[investiture|Sasanian Investiture]] reliefs at Naqš-e Rajab (q.v) and Firuzâbâd as the heir apparent (Hinz, 1969, pp 56ff and passim). He later shared rulership with his father. Bal'ami states that "Ardashir I placed with his own hand his own crown upon Shapur I's head." Mas'udi confirms this, adding that Ardashir I then retired to serve God and lived for a year or longer. The testimony of the Cologne Mani Codex that in [[Mani]]'s twenty-fourth year, i.e. in 240, Ardashir I "subjugated the city of [[Hatra]] and King Shapur I, his son, placed on his head the great (royal) diadem." This codex also indicates a period of synarchy. In late 242, the Emperor [[Gordian III]] (238–244) sent a letter from [[Antioch]] in [[Syria]] to the senate claiming that he had removed the threat "of Persian Kings" (reges persarum) from the city. This means that in 242 Persia had two kings. Indeed, Ardashir I's later coins continues his usual reverse type of an elaborate fire altar and the legend: "Fire of Ardaxštar," but it portrays him facing a youthful prince. This symbolically represents Shapur I, and includes a new legend, "Divine Shapur King of Iran whose seed is from gods." Shapur I's own coins show him wearing his famous mural crown and a fire altar flanked by two attendants. Clearly, Ardashir I issued that series when he appointed Shapur co-regent. A rock-relief at Salmâs in Atropatekan (today known as Azarbaijan) province depicting two horsemen both wearing Ardashir I's lower-type crown also dates from this period of synarchy. Another relief at Dârâbgerd represents a victory of Shapur I over the [[ancient Rome|Romans]], but the King wears Ardashir I's crown, thereby symbolizing the shared victory of both father and son. |
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=== Accession === |
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The date of Shapur's coronation remains debated, but [[241]] is frequently noted.<ref name="EI" /> |
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The date of Shapur I's coronation has been debated. The testimony of his courtier Âbnun that the Romans marched against Persia "in the 3rd year of Shapur I, King of Kings," proves that Shapur I's accession was in 241. This supports Henning's calculation from the evidence of Bišâpur's inscription that separates Ardashir I's royal fire from that of his son by 17 years. He further interpreted from the Manichean report that the day of Shapur I's coronation "was Sunday, the first of Nisan, when the sun was in Aries" with reference to Sunday [[12 April]], [[241]]. A magnificently executed rock-relief at Naqš-e Rajab symbolically commemorates Shapur I's investiture: Ohrmazd, on horseback, offers the diademed ring of royalty to Shapur I, who is likewise mounted, but his figure has since been mutilated. |
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== War against the Roman Empire == |
== War against the Roman Empire == |
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| ⚫ | |||
Ardashir I had, towards the end of his reign, renewed the war against the [[Roman Empire]]. Shapur I conquered the [[Mesopotamia|Mesopotamian]] fortresses [[Nisibis]] and [[Carrhae]] and advanced into [[Syria (Roman province)|Syria]]. [[Timesitheus]], father-in-law of the young emperor, [[Gordian III]], drove him back and defeated him at the [[battle of Resaena]] in [[243]]. Timesitheus died shortly afterward, and [[Philip the Arab]] (244–249) murdered Gordian III. Philip then concluded an ignominious peace with the [[Persians]] in [[244]]. When the invasion of the [[Goths]] and the continuous elevation of new emperors after the death of [[Trajan Decius]] ([[251]]) brought the Roman Empire to dissolution, Shapur I resumed his attacks. |
Ardashir I had, towards the end of his reign, renewed the war against the [[Roman Empire]]. Shapur I conquered the [[Mesopotamia|Mesopotamian]] fortresses [[Nisibis]] and [[Carrhae]] and advanced into [[Syria (Roman province)|Syria]]. [[Timesitheus]], father-in-law of the young emperor, [[Gordian III]], drove him back and defeated him at the [[battle of Resaena]] in [[243]]. Timesitheus died shortly afterward, and [[Philip the Arab]] (244–249) murdered Gordian III. Philip then concluded an ignominious peace with the [[Persians]] in [[244]]. When the invasion of the [[Goths]] and the continuous elevation of new emperors after the death of [[Trajan Decius]] ([[251]]) brought the Roman Empire to dissolution, Shapur I resumed his attacks. |
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Shapur conquered [[Armenia]], invaded Syria, and plundered Antioch. Eventually, Emperor [[Valerian (emperor)|Valerian]] (253–260) marched against him, but was taken prisoner in the Roman-controlled province of [[Edessa, Mesopotamia|Edessa]] when he attempted to meet for negotiations in [[260]]. Shapur advanced into [[Asia Minor]], but [[Ballista]] beat him back. [[Septimius Odenathus]], prince of [[Palmyra]], rose in his rear, defeated the Persian army, reconquered Carrhae and Nisibis, captured the royal harem, and |
Shapur I conquered [[Armenia]], invaded Syria, and plundered Antioch. Eventually, Emperor [[Valerian (emperor)|Valerian]] (253–260) marched against him, but was taken prisoner in the Roman-controlled province of [[Edessa, Mesopotamia|Edessa]] when he attempted to meet for negotiations in [[260]]. Shapur I advanced into [[Asia Minor]], but [[Ballista]] beat him back. [[Septimius Odenathus]], prince of [[Palmyra]], rose in his rear, defeated the Persian army, reconquered Carrhae and Nisibis, captured the royal [[harem]], and twice invested [[Ctesiphon]] ([[263]]–[[265]]) in [[Khvarvaran]] province (in present-day [[Iraq]]). |
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Shapur I was unable to resume the offensive and lost Armenia again. According to Persian tradition, he conquered the great fortress of [[Hatra]] in the Mesopotamian desert. |
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[[Image:Naqshe rostam.jpg|thumb|200px|Shapur's triumph over [[Philip the Arab]] and [[Valerian I|Valerian]].]] |
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[[Image:HumiliationValerianusHolbein.jpg|thumb|right|The Humiliation of [[Valerian I|Valerian]] by Shapur I. Pen and ink, [[Hans Holbein the Younger]], c. 1521]] |
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| ⚫ | One of the great achievements of Shapur's reign was the |
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=== Capture of Valerian === |
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Shapur is said to have publicly shamed Valerian by using the Roman Emperor as a footstool when mounting his horse.<ref name="Weigel">{{cite web|year=1998|author=Weigel, Richard D.|title=Valerian and Gallienus|publisher=De Imperatoribus Romanis|url=http://www.roman-emperors.org/gallval.htm}}</ref> Other sources contradict and note that in other stone carvings, Valerian is respected and never on his knees. This is supported by reports that Valerian and some of his army lived in relatively good conditions in the city of [[Bishapur]] and that Shapur enrolled the assistance of Roman engineers in his engineering and development plans. |
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[[Image:Naqshe rostam.jpg|thumb|200px|Triumph of Shapur I. Bending the knee to his conqueror is [[Philip the Arab]]. In his right hand, Shapur grasps the unlifted arms of [[Emperor Valerian]]; One of his hands is hidden in his sleeve as the sign of submission.]] |
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| ⚫ | One of the great achievements of Shapur I's reign was the capture of the Roman Emperor Valerian. In the valley of [[Istakhr]] (near [[Persepolis]]), under the tombs of the [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenids]] at [[Naqsh-e Rustam]], Shapur I is represented on horseback wearing royal armour and crown. Before him kneels [[Philip the Arab]], in Roman dress, asking for grace. In his right hand the king grasps the uplifted arms of the [[Emperor Valerian]] (some think that the man who is kneeling is Valerian); one of his hands is hidden in his sleeve as the sign of submission. The same scene is represented on the rocks near the ruins of the towns [[Darabjird]] and [[Shapur (place)|Shapur]] in Persia. Shapur I is said to have publicly shamed Valerian by using the Roman Emperor as a footstool when mounting his horse. After Valerian's execution, his skin was removed, filled with dung, painted red, and displayed publicly as a symbol of Shapur I's triumph. |
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Others sources say that Shapur sent Valerian and some of his army to the city of [[Bishapur]] where they lived in relatively good condition. Shapur used the remaining soldiers in engineering and development plans. Also, in all stone carvings, Valerian is respected and never on his knees. |
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== Builder of cities == |
== Builder of cities == |
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Shapur I left other reliefs and rock inscriptions. A relief at [[ |
Shapur I left other reliefs and rock inscriptions. A relief at [[Nakshi-Rajab]] near Persepolis, is accompanied by a Greek translation. Here Shapur I calls himself "the Mazdayasnian (worshipper of [[Ahuramazda]]), the God Sapores, King of Kings of the [[Aryan]]s, [[Iranian peoples|Iranians]], and non-Aryans, of divine descent, son of the Mazdayasnian, the god [[Artaxares]], King of Kings of the Aryans, grandson of the God-King [[Papak]]." Another long inscription at [[Hajjiabad]] (Istakhr) mentions the King's exploits in archery in the presence of his nobles. |
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From his titles we learn that Shapur I claimed the sovereignty over the whole |
From his titles we learn that Shapur I claimed the sovereignty over the whole [[Earth]], although in reality his domain extended little farther than that of Ardashir I. |
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Shapur I built the great town [[Academy of Gundishapur|Gundishapur]] near the old |
Shapur I built the great town [[Academy of Gundishapur|Gundishapur]] near the old Achaemenian capital of [[Susa]], and increased the fertility of this rich district by a barrage built by the Roman prisoners through the [[Karun River]] near [[Shushtar]]. It is still called [[Band-i-Kaisar]], "the mole of the Caesar." He is also responsible for building the city of [[Bishapur]], also built by Roman soldiers captured after the defeat of Valerian in [[260]]. Under his reign, the prophet [[Mani (prophet)|Mani]], the founder of [[Manichaeism]], began his preaching in Persia, and the King himself seems to have favoured his ideas. |
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==Interactions with minorities== |
==Interactions with minorities== |
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[[Shmuel]], one of the most famous of the ''[[Amoraim]]'' of "[[Bavel]]" ([[Babylonia]]), was occasionally referred to as ''Shvor Malka'', which is the [[Aramaic]] form of the name of the Persian King, by Shapur I, with whom Shmuel was quite friendly. Because of these interactions, many advantages were gained for the Jewish community. |
[[Shmuel]], one of the most famous of the ''[[Amoraim]]'' of "[[Bavel]]" ([[Babylonia]]), was occasionally referred to as ''Shvor Malka'', which is the [[Aramaic]] form of the name of the Persian King, by Shapur I, with whom Shmuel was quite friendly. Because of these interactions, many advantages were gained for the Jewish community. |
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== Notes == |
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Under Shapur's reign, the prophet [[Mani (prophet)|Mani]], the founder of [[Manichaeism]], began his preaching in Western Iran, and the King himself seems to have favoured his ideas. The ''Shapurgan'', Mani's only treatise in the [[Middle Persian]] language, is dedicated to Shapur. |
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==Bibliography== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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== Sources == |
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* [http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/History/Sasanian/shapour_I.htm The Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies at SOAS (CAIS at SOAS)] |
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* [http://www.roman-emperors.org/gallval.htm De Imperatoribus Romanus entry on Valerian, his capture and execution by Shapur] |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[Bishapur]] |
* [[Bishapur]] |
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* [[Nishapur]] |
* [[Nishapur]] |
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Revision as of 14:18, 16 April 2007
| Shapur I | |
|---|---|
| The King of the Kings (Shahanshah) The King of Iran and Aniran (Non-Iranian) | |
| File:Shapur i.jpg | |
| Reign | 226–241 - 272 CE |
| Coronation | 12 April 241 |
| Predecessor | Ardeshir I |
| Successor | Bahram I |
| Burial | Unknown |
| House | Sasan |
| Father | Ardeshir I |
| Mother | Lady Myrôd, an Arsacid descent |
Shapur I (Persian شاپور اول), son of Ardashir I (226–241), was King of Persia from 241 to 272. His mother was Lady Myrôd[3], an Arsacid princess.[4][5]
Co-rulership
Shapur I was the son of Ardashir I and Lady Myrôd. He participated in his father's campaign against the Arsacids. Ardashir I "judged him the gentlest, wisest, bravest and ablest of all his children" and nominated him as his successor in an assembly of the magnates. He appears in Ardashir I's Sasanian Investiture reliefs at Naqš-e Rajab (q.v) and Firuzâbâd as the heir apparent (Hinz, 1969, pp 56ff and passim). He later shared rulership with his father. Bal'ami states that "Ardashir I placed with his own hand his own crown upon Shapur I's head." Mas'udi confirms this, adding that Ardashir I then retired to serve God and lived for a year or longer. The testimony of the Cologne Mani Codex that in Mani's twenty-fourth year, i.e. in 240, Ardashir I "subjugated the city of Hatra and King Shapur I, his son, placed on his head the great (royal) diadem." This codex also indicates a period of synarchy. In late 242, the Emperor Gordian III (238–244) sent a letter from Antioch in Syria to the senate claiming that he had removed the threat "of Persian Kings" (reges persarum) from the city. This means that in 242 Persia had two kings. Indeed, Ardashir I's later coins continues his usual reverse type of an elaborate fire altar and the legend: "Fire of Ardaxštar," but it portrays him facing a youthful prince. This symbolically represents Shapur I, and includes a new legend, "Divine Shapur King of Iran whose seed is from gods." Shapur I's own coins show him wearing his famous mural crown and a fire altar flanked by two attendants. Clearly, Ardashir I issued that series when he appointed Shapur co-regent. A rock-relief at Salmâs in Atropatekan (today known as Azarbaijan) province depicting two horsemen both wearing Ardashir I's lower-type crown also dates from this period of synarchy. Another relief at Dârâbgerd represents a victory of Shapur I over the Romans, but the King wears Ardashir I's crown, thereby symbolizing the shared victory of both father and son.
Accession
The date of Shapur I's coronation has been debated. The testimony of his courtier Âbnun that the Romans marched against Persia "in the 3rd year of Shapur I, King of Kings," proves that Shapur I's accession was in 241. This supports Henning's calculation from the evidence of Bišâpur's inscription that separates Ardashir I's royal fire from that of his son by 17 years. He further interpreted from the Manichean report that the day of Shapur I's coronation "was Sunday, the first of Nisan, when the sun was in Aries" with reference to Sunday 12 April, 241. A magnificently executed rock-relief at Naqš-e Rajab symbolically commemorates Shapur I's investiture: Ohrmazd, on horseback, offers the diademed ring of royalty to Shapur I, who is likewise mounted, but his figure has since been mutilated.
War against the Roman Empire
Ardashir I had, towards the end of his reign, renewed the war against the Roman Empire. Shapur I conquered the Mesopotamian fortresses Nisibis and Carrhae and advanced into Syria. Timesitheus, father-in-law of the young emperor, Gordian III, drove him back and defeated him at the battle of Resaena in 243. Timesitheus died shortly afterward, and Philip the Arab (244–249) murdered Gordian III. Philip then concluded an ignominious peace with the Persians in 244. When the invasion of the Goths and the continuous elevation of new emperors after the death of Trajan Decius (251) brought the Roman Empire to dissolution, Shapur I resumed his attacks.
Shapur I conquered Armenia, invaded Syria, and plundered Antioch. Eventually, Emperor Valerian (253–260) marched against him, but was taken prisoner in the Roman-controlled province of Edessa when he attempted to meet for negotiations in 260. Shapur I advanced into Asia Minor, but Ballista beat him back. Septimius Odenathus, prince of Palmyra, rose in his rear, defeated the Persian army, reconquered Carrhae and Nisibis, captured the royal harem, and twice invested Ctesiphon (263–265) in Khvarvaran province (in present-day Iraq).
Shapur I was unable to resume the offensive and lost Armenia again. According to Persian tradition, he conquered the great fortress of Hatra in the Mesopotamian desert.
Capture of Valerian
One of the great achievements of Shapur I's reign was the capture of the Roman Emperor Valerian. In the valley of Istakhr (near Persepolis), under the tombs of the Achaemenids at Naqsh-e Rustam, Shapur I is represented on horseback wearing royal armour and crown. Before him kneels Philip the Arab, in Roman dress, asking for grace. In his right hand the king grasps the uplifted arms of the Emperor Valerian (some think that the man who is kneeling is Valerian); one of his hands is hidden in his sleeve as the sign of submission. The same scene is represented on the rocks near the ruins of the towns Darabjird and Shapur in Persia. Shapur I is said to have publicly shamed Valerian by using the Roman Emperor as a footstool when mounting his horse. After Valerian's execution, his skin was removed, filled with dung, painted red, and displayed publicly as a symbol of Shapur I's triumph.
Others sources say that Shapur sent Valerian and some of his army to the city of Bishapur where they lived in relatively good condition. Shapur used the remaining soldiers in engineering and development plans. Also, in all stone carvings, Valerian is respected and never on his knees.
Builder of cities
Shapur I left other reliefs and rock inscriptions. A relief at Nakshi-Rajab near Persepolis, is accompanied by a Greek translation. Here Shapur I calls himself "the Mazdayasnian (worshipper of Ahuramazda), the God Sapores, King of Kings of the Aryans, Iranians, and non-Aryans, of divine descent, son of the Mazdayasnian, the god Artaxares, King of Kings of the Aryans, grandson of the God-King Papak." Another long inscription at Hajjiabad (Istakhr) mentions the King's exploits in archery in the presence of his nobles.
From his titles we learn that Shapur I claimed the sovereignty over the whole Earth, although in reality his domain extended little farther than that of Ardashir I.
Shapur I built the great town Gundishapur near the old Achaemenian capital of Susa, and increased the fertility of this rich district by a barrage built by the Roman prisoners through the Karun River near Shushtar. It is still called Band-i-Kaisar, "the mole of the Caesar." He is also responsible for building the city of Bishapur, also built by Roman soldiers captured after the defeat of Valerian in 260. Under his reign, the prophet Mani, the founder of Manichaeism, began his preaching in Persia, and the King himself seems to have favoured his ideas.
Interactions with minorities
Shmuel, one of the most famous of the Amoraim of "Bavel" (Babylonia), was occasionally referred to as Shvor Malka, which is the Aramaic form of the name of the Persian King, by Shapur I, with whom Shmuel was quite friendly. Because of these interactions, many advantages were gained for the Jewish community.
Notes
- ^ E. E. Herzfeld, Iran in the Ancient East New York (1988), p310., ISBN:0-87817-308-0
- ^ Chantal Fabrégues, The Indo-Parthian Beginnings of Gandhara Sculpture, (LINK); accessed March 07, 2007
- ^ Shapur Shahbazi, Shapur I, the Great, (LINK); accessed March 07, 2007.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ E. E. Herzfeld, Iran in the Ancient East New York (1988), p287., ISBN:0-87817-308-0
Sources
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - The Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies at SOAS (CAIS at SOAS)
- De Imperatoribus Romanus entry on Valerian, his capture and execution by Shapur
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See also