Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars (AD 226-363)
Michael Dodgeon and Samuel N C Lieu
While most studies of the internal and international conflicts of Rome’s 3rd century crisis are recorded in a scattered and unsatisfactory manner, this documentary history of the period brings together the main sources, of which the better ones–those not in Latin– are not easily accessible. The volume includes translations of such diverse sources as Zosimus, John Malalas, Al-Tabari and Moses of Chorene–documents which, when viewed in combination, provide a clearer picture of this complex, fraught period of Roman history. The editors also provide a selection of inscriptions, papyri and oriental sources, generous notes, a detailed bibliography and maps.
Comprehensive in scope, “The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars” covers such topics as the rise of the Sassanians, the Persian expedition of Gordian III, the second and third campaigns of Shapur I against the Roman Empire, the rise and fall of Palmyra, the early and later wars of Constantius II, as well as the Persian expedition of Julian.
‘One cannot too highly commend the editors, in their coverage of the miscellaneous sources. … the book is an essential aid for researchers in all the interlocking and productive fields which relate to Late Roman, Sasanian, and Manichean history … All the passages are cited in clear English translations, where necessary revised for the occasion or specially prepared by the editors.’ – A D H Bivar, SOAS
