Shapur II's siege of Bezabde

Shapur II besieged the fortress city of Bezabde in Zabdicene in 360, held by the Romans.^[1][2] Despite adamant resistance from three Roman legions and local archers, the Sasanians led by Shapur II successfully besieged Bezabde and defeated the Roman force.^[1]

Shapur II's siege of Bezabde
Part of the Perso-Roman wars of 337–361
Date 360 Location Bezabde, Zabdicene (modern-day Turkey) Result Sasanian victory[1]
Belligerents
Roman Empire	Sasanian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Shapur II
Strength
Legio II Parthica Legio II Armeniaca Legio II Flavia Virtutis Local archers

A battering-ram reportedly brought down one of the towers, through which the besiegers entered the city.^[3]

Later that year, Constantius II tried to retake Bezabde, but was unsuccessful.^[1][4]

References

1. Crow 2018a, p. 235.
2. Crow 2018b, p. 1605.
3. Farrokh, Kaveh; Maksymiuk, Katarzyna; Garcia, Javier Sanchez (2018). The Siege of Amida (359 CE). Archeobooks. pp. 54–55. ISBN 978-83-7051-887-5.
4. Whitby 2013, p. 447.

Sources

• Crow, James (2018a). "Bezabde". In Nicholson, Oliver (ed.). The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-866277-8.
• Crow, James (2018b). "Zabdicene". In Nicholson, Oliver (ed.). The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-866277-8.
• Whitby, Michael (2013). "Siege Warfare and Counter-Siege Tactics in Late Antiquity (ca. 250–640)". In Sarantis, Alexander; Christie, Neil (eds.). War and Warfare in Late Antiquity: Current Perspectives. Brill. ISBN 978-9004252578.