page_title: Perso-Roman wars of 337–361
section_title: Siege of Amida (359)
hierarchical_section_title: Perso-Roman wars of 337–361 / Events / Second war: 359-361 / Siege of Amida (359)
caption_attribution_description: English: The city walls of Diyarbakir in Southeastern Turkey stretch almost unbroken for 6 kilometres. The current walls were built by Constantius II when the city was called Roman "Amida", and extended by Valentinian I between 367-375 AD.
context_page_description: The Perso-Roman wars of 337–361 were a series of military conflicts fought between the Roman Empire and the Sasanian Empire between 337 and 361. They were a result of long-standing aggression between the rival powers over influence in the border kingdoms of Armenia and Iberia, as well as the desire of Shapur II, after his Arab campaign, to revoke the unfavorable terms of the Treaty of Nisibis, which had concluded the previous war between the empires. Though the Romans under Constantius II were defeated in several sanguinary encounters, Shapur was unable to secure a decisive victory.
context_section_description: Shapur convinced himself that the mere sight of his formidable army  would terrorize the city into surrender. Grumbates, king of the Chionites, was sent to threaten the defiant city into submission. But before the king could make known the reason of his approach, a dart from the Roman ballistae struck his son and crown prince killing him instantly.
  The Sasanids encircled the city on every side; as auxiliaries, the Vertae were assigned the assault of the south wall, the Albanians on the north, the Chionites to the east, and the Segestanis with their war-elephants on the west. The operations of the siege began with a two-day mutual discharge of missiles, following heavy casualties on both sides, a truce was concluded. The Sasanids then set themselves to raising mounds for scaling the walls, and siege towers captured from the Romans in the previous war at Singara. Meanwhile, the forays of the Sasanid cavalry were devastating the surrounding country taking many prisoners and much spoils. Ursicinus, who proposed a bold attack using light infantry to divert the Sasanid blockade, was accused of fomenting a treacherous reverse through his excessive zeal for the relief of the city.
  A night attack on the Sasanid camp by two Gallic legions from Amida boosted Roman morale and inflicted heavy losses on the Sasanid army, but the loss of 400 Gauls was more devastating to the besieged city. Shapur increased his assaults on the city only to suffer further casualties due to the Roman scorpions and fire darts. Finally the Roman structures, under the bombardment of Sasanid ballistae, collapsed. The Sasanids carried their earth mounds to the level of the ramparts, and swarmed into the city. After a prolonged last-ditch defense the garrison was overpowered, the city sacked and the inhabitants removed to the further reaches of the Sasanid Empire. Count Aelianus and the rest of the surviving Roman commanders were crucified. The siege being successful and autumn arriving, the Sasanids were obliged to return to winter-quarters.
caption: The walls of Amida, built by Constantius II before the Siege of Amida  of 359.
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