Julian the Apostate's Persian Campaign — Death of a Dream
Julian II, known as 'the Apostate' for his rejection of Christianity and revival of paganism, saw a Persian campaign as the path to Alexandrian glory that would cement his legitimacy. In 363 CE he led perhaps 65,000 troops south through Mesopotamia toward the Sasanian capital Ctesiphon. The advance was initially successful, but Ctesiphon proved impregnable without a prolonged siege, and Julian's supplies were running low. In the most controversial decision of the campaign, Julian ordered his supply fleet on the Euphrates burned to prevent it from being captured and to force his men to advance rather than retreat. He then retreated north through the Mesopotamian summer. Shapur II's forces harassed the column continuously. On 26 June 363 CE Julian rode out without his breastplate and was struck by a lance in the side. He died that night, reportedly composing philosophical arguments about death. The soldiers acclaimed the Christian officer Jovian emperor. Jovian immediately made peace with Shapur II on disastrous terms: he surrendered the strategic fortress city of Nisibis, 5 fortresses, 15 Persian nobles, and all of Mesopotamia east of the Khabur River.
- Year: 363 CE
- Category: Military
