Death of Emperor Julian in the Persian Campaign

Timeline

1. 363Ctesiphon · PersiaJulian marched east from Antioch, broke through Persian defenses, and drove toward the Sasanian capital Ctesiphon. King Shapur II adopted a strategy of luring the enemy deep and scorched earth; the Romans advanced but supplies grew increasingly difficult.
2. 363Samarra · Persian frontierJulian ordered a retreat; Persian cavalry launched a surprise attack near Samarra, and the emperor was wounded by a spear in the melee, dying in camp days later. His successor Jovian made peace with Shapur II, abandoning five eastern Mesopotamian provinces and two fortresses, and the Roman eastern frontier was pushed back substantially.