Contribution to Book
Trajan's Parthian War, 113–117
The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles
(2017)
Abstract
In 114, Trajan reduced the kingdom of Armenia to a province. Chronological confusion in our sources makes it difficult to reconstruct the subsequent campaign; Trajan may have spent the following year pacifying Armenia or moved into eastern Mesopotamia. In 116 a fresh campaign seems to have been launched across the Euphrates. Adiabene was subjugated, and the Romans swung south, capturing the Parthian capital (Ctesiphon) and reaching the Persian Gulf. The Parthians recaptured territory behind the advance but were caught by detached Roman forces. When the Romans finally regrouped, the Parthians were defeated near Ctesiphon, and Trajan installed a puppet king. Hatra was unsuccessfully besieged, probably in 116. The Jews of Africa revolted between 115 and 117, requiring the diversion of major forces. Trajan left for Rome in 117, leaving Hadrian in command in the east, but died on the journey. Hadrian subsequently abandoned many of Trajan's conquests.
Keywords
- Armenia,
- counterinsurgency,
- Hadrian,
- Hatra,
- Jews,
- Mesopotamia,
- Parthia,
- revolt,
- Romans,
- sieges,
- Trajan
Publication Date
April 21, 2017
Editor
Michael Whitby and Harry Sidebottom
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN
9781119099000
DOI
10.1002/9781119099000.wbabat0650
Citation Information
Jonathan P. Roth. "Trajan's Parthian War, 113–117" The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles (2017) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jonathan_roth/49/