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Ardashir I's Siege of Hatra

First siege of Hatra
Part of the Mesopotamian campaigns of Ardashir I

The ruins of the ancient city of Hatra, the City of the Sun god, are located c. 300 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, Iraq.
Datec. 229 or c. 226–227
Location
Hatra, Mosul (modern-day Iraq)
35°35′17″N 42°43′6″E / 35.58806°N 42.71833°E / 35.58806; 42.71833
Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Sasanian Empire Roman Empire
Kingdom of Hatra
Commanders and leaders
Ardashir I Sanatruq II
Hatra is located in Iraq
Hatra
Hatra
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Location within Iraq

The First siege of Hatra by Ardashir I was an attempt at gaining the fortress of Hatra, which is about 290 km (180 mi) north-west of Baghdad.

The siege

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In c.226[1]/c.229,[2] the first Sasanian ruler, Ardashir I, besieged the city of Hatra, which may have been a Roman client kingdom.[a][5]

The city's strong defenses, whose fortifications, according to archaeological evidence, reached 30 meters, resulted in a failure of this siege. Ardashir then marched to Media, where he succeeded in subduing its territories, and then to Armenia, where he was repulsed by Artabanus IV probably in 227–228.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ There are three Latin dedications, the first of which is dated to the year 235 and the other two are by a senior officer, show that Hatra was on the Romans’ side in the first years of Sasanian rule and that Roman troops were stationed there.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Wiesenhöfer 1986.
  2. ^ Edwell 2007, p. 154.
  3. ^ Oates 1955, p. ??.
  4. ^ Schmitt 2003.
  5. ^ Dodgeon & Lieu 1991, p. 13.

Sources

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  • Edwell, Peter (2007). Between Rome and Persia: The Middle Euphrates, Mesopotamia and Palmyra Under Roman Control. Taylor & Francis.
  • Dodgeon, Michael H.; Lieu, Samuel N. C. (1991). The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars (AD 226—363). A Documentary History.
  • Oates, D. (1955). "A Note on Three Latin Inscriptions from Hatra". Sumer. 11: 39–43.
  • Schmitt, Rüdiger (2003). "HATRA". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
  • Wiesenhöfer, Joseph (1986). "ARDAŠĪR I i. History". Encyclopaedia Iranica.