Shapur I

Shapur I (Middle Persian: 𐭱𐭧𐭯𐭥𐭧𐭥𐭩; New Persian: شاپور), also known as Shapur I the Great, was the second shahanshah (king of kings) of the Sasanian Empire. The dates of his reign are commonly given as 240/42 – 270/72, but it is likely that he also reigned as co-regent (together with his father) prior to his father's death in 242 (more probably than 240).

Amongst the most notable events of his reign was the decisive defeat of the Romans at the infamous Battle of Edessa, where the Roman army was defeated and captured in its entirity, including the Roman Emperor, Valerian. He became the only Roman Emperor who was captured as a prisoner of war, causing instability in the Empire. As such, the battle is generally viewed as one of the worst disasters in Roman military history.

Etymology

The name Shapur is a combination of the word šāh (king) and puça (son), thus literally meaning the “son of a king”. The name is derived from Old Iranian xšāyaθiyahyā-puθra. The name is attested in Manichaean sources as Shabuhr, while it is attested in Latin sources as Sapores and Sapor, which Shapur is also known by in modern sources.