Siege of Nisibis (197)
| Siege of Nisibis (197) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Campaigns of Septimius Severus | |||||||
The first panel of the triumphal arch in Rome shows the liberation of Nisibis and the escape of Vologases V (upper right register). | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Parthian Empire | Roman Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Vologases V |
Julius Laetus[5][6][7] Septimius Severus[6] | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Legions I, II and III Parthica under Severus[8] | ||||||
The siege of Nisibis in 197 was a siege carried out by Vologases V's Parthian army against the garrisoned city commanded by Septimius Severus' lieutenant, Julius Laetus. The city was initially captured by Severus's army in 195.[9] The city was besieged by Vologases V and was doomed to fall,[6] if not for the defense by Laetus.[6][7] Septimius Severus then marches with his men into the city, and quickly liberates it,[1][2] the Parthians retreating at the sight of the Roman army.[3]
References
- ^ a b An Encyclopedia of Battles, p. 112: "He relieved the siege of Nisibis in 197 ..."
- ^ a b Guerre partiche (in Italian): "Nuovo assedio di Nisibi. Settimio Severo, dopo essersi assicurato l'appoggio dei re d'Armenia e di Osroene, guida nuovamente le truppe a liberare la città." [New siege of Nisibis. Septimius Severus, after having secured the support of the kings of Armenia and Osroene, leads the troops again to liberate the city.]
- ^ a b Welcome to Encyclopaedia Iranica
- ^ The Expedition for the Survey of the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris, p. 421: "This city held out till Severus appeared, when the Parthians immediately retreated."
- ^ Emperor Septimius Severus, p. 157: "... because we later find him in charge of the defence of the city of Nisibis." and p. 158: "Julius Laetus was able to reach the city of Nisibis in 197 before the Parthians put it under siege."
- ^ a b c d Gradoni 2013, p. 10.
- ^ a b Gradoni 2013, p. 9.
- ^ Roman Syria and the Near East, p. 48: "In 197 Severus returned to Syria with three newly raised legions, I, II and III Parthica."
- ^ Scarre 1995, p. 98.
Sources
- Scarre, Chris (September 1, 1995). The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome. London: Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN 01-40-51329-9.
- Gradoni, Mark K. (2013). "The Parthian Campaigns of Septimius Severus: Causes, and Roles in Dynamic Legitimation". American Journal of Ancient History. ISBN 978-1-59333-838-1. ISSN 0362-8914.