Princess Sura of Parthia
Sura (d. 224 CE), was a Parthian princess and army commander.[1]
She was the daughter of the last Parthian monarch, Artabanus V (r. 213–224 CE). She is said to have acted as an advisor to her father.
Reportedly, the Roman emperor Caracalla suggested to King Artabanus IV that a marriage be arranged between himself and Artabanus's daughter, in order to unite the two empires.[2] Artabanos IV refused, arguing that such a "barbarian" wedding would not befit a Roman emperor, and that the two cultures were too different to be united.[3] According to Cassius Dio, the proposal was just a Roman pretext to invade Parthia. The identity of this princess is not known and may theoretically have been Sura, or another one of Artabanus's daughters, if he had several. Knowledge about the women of the Arsacid dynasty is very fragmentary.
She is documented for her acts after the revolt of Ardashir I (r. 224–240 CE), a former general who deposed her father and founded the Sassanian Empire. Her father Artabanus V was killed in battle. After her father's death, princess Sura took command of troops loyal to her father and conducted guerilla warfare against Ardashir I to revenge her father's murder. She was killed in battle.
References[]
- ^ Mark, J. J. (31 January 2020). "Twelve Great Women of Ancient Persia". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- ^ Cassius Dio (78.1.1, cf. also Herodian. 4.10 – 11)
- ^ (Herodian. 4.10.2)
- 3rd-century births
- 224 deaths
- Women in ancient warfare
- Women in war in the Middle East
- Parthian princesses
- 3rd-century women
- 3rd-century BC Iranian people