Eastern Mediterranean 298: Galerius’ invasion of Persia

Dec 284 Diocletian vs Carinus 1 Apr 286 Diarchy of Diocletian and Maximian 1 Mar 293 First Tetrarchy spr 297 Second Battle of Carrhae late 298 Galerius’ invasion of Persia 1 May 305 Second Tetrarchy

After his failure at Carrhae in 297, Galerius gathered a stronger force and returned to face the Persians in Armenia. In 298 he surprised and decisively defeated Shah Narseh near Satala, capturing his wife, harem, treasury, and much of his court. Galerius then invaded Persia itself and captured the capital Ctesiphon. The following year, at the Peace of Nisibis, Narseh agreed to cede territory to the Romans and restore the Kingdom of Armenia. It would be another four decades before the two empires would fight again.

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Main Events

298 Battle of Satala ▲

After his defeat at Carrhae, Galerius gathered new troops from Illyricum and Moesia and, in the winter of 297/298, marched on Armenia to confront Shah Narseh of Persia again. Here, from the Roman base of Satala and supported by the exiled Armenian king Tiridates III, Galerius launched a surprise attack on the nearby Persian camp and utterly defeated the Persian army. In the rout, the Romans captured Narseh’s wife, harem, children, treasury, and much of his court. Narseh himself narrowly escaped. in wikipedia

298–299 Galerius’ invasion of Persia ▲

Following his victory at Satala, Galerius and his Armenian allies swept the Persians from Armenia. He then marched through Media Atropatene and Adiabene to return to Roman Mesopotamia and recover Nisibis by the end of September 298, winning many victories along the way. From here, Galerius pushed down the Tigris to capture the Persian capital Ctesiphon and bring the war to an end. in wikipedia

??–Sep 298 Diocletian’s Nubian Campaign ▲

After restoring order and implementing reforms in Alexandria, Diocletian marched south along the Nile to Nubia, where he made peace with the Nobatae and Blemmyes tribes. Realizing that the region south of the city of Elephantine cost far more to defend than it provided in revenue, he granted it to the Nobatae and shifted the border north to nearby Philae, where he constructed a strong fortress and a temple to cater for both nations. Diocletian then further placated the tribes by agreeing to pay them both an annual gold stipend to end their raiding. in wikipedia