Early Roman Empire, Nerva-Antonine Dynasty (96-193): 16*Lucius Verus, Lucius Verus’ Parthian War [3/5]

16*LUCIUS VERUS (161-169)

Lucius Verus’ Parthian War (161-166) [3/5]

In 161 Vologases IV of Parthia (r.147-191) invaded Syria and declared sovereignty over Armenia. Neither of the two emperors had had military experience under Pius, but it was agreed that Lucius, being younger, was better suited for the task and he finally set off in summer 162. Meanwhile, Statius Priscus (cos.159) had taken command in Cappadocia and captured the Armenian capital Artaxata by storm in 163. Lucius wintered at Laodicea and spent the summer months at Daphne, the famous pleasure resort just outside Antioch.

The Parthians deposed the Roman client king Mannus of Osroene and a Roman force led by ³⁵Claudius Fronto was sent across the Euphrates further upstream. After an engagement at Sura south of the river, the Romans occupied Dausara and Nicephorium on the northern, Parthian bank. Fronto then entered Osroene from Armenia and occupied Anthemusia, southwest of Edessa.

In 163/4 Lucius restored Sohaemus to the Armenian throne and in 165 the Romans restored pro-Roman Mannus to the throne of Osroene and pursued the Parthians eastwards to Nisibis (=Nusaybin, southeast Turkey), which was captured. A force under the future usurper Avidius Cassius (c.45; fl.154-175) advanced southwards down the Euphrates and won a victory at Dura-Europos, which was annexed. 

By the end of the year Cassius and his men had moved across Mesopotamia to assault the twin cities on the Tigris, the Greek Seleucia on the right (west) bank and Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital opposite on the east bank. Seleucia opened its gate to welcome the Romans and Ctesiphon was recaptured (Hadrian had returned it as part of a peace agreement with Vologases III) and Vologases’ palace was burnt.

The Parthians sued for peace, but a plague (‘Antonine’) that swept through the East and Europe killed thousands, including the Roman soldiers returning from the war, prevented the Romans from permanently subduing the Parthians. Commanders Avidius Cassius and Martius Verus remained in the East to govern Syria Palaestina and Cappadocia respectively; ²⁹Julius Verus and ³⁵Claudius Fronto were sent back to raise two new legions intended for service in the West.