Trajan's Parthian Campaign

The Trajan's Parthian Campaign, also known as the Roman-Parthian War, was a military campaign conducted by the Roman Emperor Trajan in 114-117 against the Parthian Empire in Mesopotamia.

### Background

Trajan had previously defeated the Dacians (101) and annexed Armenia. In 113, he decided to solve the "Eastern Question" by inflicting a decisive defeat on Parthia and annexing Armenia as a Roman province. This marked a deliberate change in Roman policy towards Parthia and a shift in focus towards the "Grand Strategy" of the Empire.

### Campaign

In 114, Trajan invaded Armenia, annexed it as a Roman province, and killed Parthamaspates, who had been placed on the Armenian throne by his relative, King Osroes I of Parthia. The war was initially successful for the Romans, but due to a series of setbacks, including widespread rebellions in the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.

In 115, Trajan invaded northern Mesopotamia and annexed it to Rome as well. He considered its conquest crucial to the expansion of the Roman Empire in the East. The Roman army fought in northern Mesopotamia, reaching the Tiger River, and the main army was taken to Syr.

### Outcome

The campaign ended with a Roman withdrawal due to Trajan's death in 117. Although initially successful, the war ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, and the Parthian Empire remained intact.

### Consequences

Trajan's Parthian Campaign marked a significant turning point in Roman-Parthian relations, as it demonstrated the limits of Roman power in the East. The campaign also highlighted the challenges faced by the Roman Empire in maintaining control over its vast territories.

### References

* [1] Trajano's departure campaign was a military campaign carried out by the Roman Emperor Trajano in 114 against the Parto Empire in Mesopotamia.
* [2] Trajan's Party War (114
* [3] Trajan's Particular Campaigns (114-117) constitute the first real military campaign by the Romans to the "heart" of the Partic Empire with the conquest of the same capital, Ctesifonte and the attainment of the Persian Gulf.
* [4] Campaign of Trajan against the Parthians, also known as the Roman-Parthian War, was a military campaign in which the Roman Emperor Trajan participated in 115 AD against the Parthian Empire in Mesopotamia.
* [5] The Parthic War of Trajan brings together all the campaigns carried out by Trajan between 114 and 117 to extend the limits of the Roman Empire in the East.