Middle Roman Empire, Military Anarchy (235-284): 50*CARUS; Carus’ Sassanid War [4/9]

50*CARUS (c.61; r.282-283)

Carus assumed his elevation without obtaining senatorial approval and swiftly conferred the rank of caesar upon his two adult sons, ²¹Aurelius Numerius Numerianus (fl.283-284) and ²²Aurelius Carinus (fl.283-285). 

Carus’ Sassanid War (282-283), [4/9]

In late 282 Carus and Numerianus advanced to the Danubian frontier where they prosecuted a successful war against the Sarmatians and the Quadi. Then, leaving Carinus, the elder brother (by five years) in charge of the West, Carus and Numerianus marched east to attack the Persian king Bahram II (r.274-293). They arrived in Antioch in early 283 where, before setting out for Persian territory, Carus raised both his sons to the rank of augusti. The Roman forces succeeded in taking upper Mesopotamia from the Persians and captured their capital, Ctesiphon. Weakened by the disorders in their eastern territory, the Persians negotiated peace with Carus, who had marched east of the Tigris River with the intention, possibly, of undermining the Sassanid Empire.

In 283 Carus died mysteriously near the Tigris, allegedly struck by lightning, but more probably murdered by his praetorian prefect, ¹⁴Flavius Aper (fl.283-284).