03-21-2005, 12:50 PM
The more general formulation of the question is more useful if only because we avoid particulars.<br>
<br>
Could the Romans beat Parthians and later Sassanians?Yes! It happened. Was it easy? No; the romans got beaten often.<br>
<br>
Why? (one way or the other)<br>
This is the interesting question.<br>
<br>
The romans periodically got themselves worked up into believing they could beat Parthians deep in parthian territory. Over centuries they kept trying even after getting badly beaten. Evidently the romans were aware of being more powerful in setting off a well organized campaign and in direct confrontations (skirmishes, battles, seiges,...). This must have some element of truth else we are forced to think the romans were chronically impractical if not completely irrational, for centuries. But this contrasts too much with other long period roman behaviour we all consider practical if not completely rational.<br>
<br>
On the other hand the Parthians and Sassanians probably knew they could beat, sooner or later, the romans in parthian territory. Sooner or later the romans would make a mistake (over-extend, unbalanced forces, tactical mistakes in unfavorable territory far from friendly cities....). It is also true the parthians never had any long term conviction they could do what they wanted in roman territory (Shapur was exception that confirms the rule).<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Could the Romans beat Parthians and later Sassanians?Yes! It happened. Was it easy? No; the romans got beaten often.<br>
<br>
Why? (one way or the other)<br>
This is the interesting question.<br>
<br>
The romans periodically got themselves worked up into believing they could beat Parthians deep in parthian territory. Over centuries they kept trying even after getting badly beaten. Evidently the romans were aware of being more powerful in setting off a well organized campaign and in direct confrontations (skirmishes, battles, seiges,...). This must have some element of truth else we are forced to think the romans were chronically impractical if not completely irrational, for centuries. But this contrasts too much with other long period roman behaviour we all consider practical if not completely rational.<br>
<br>
On the other hand the Parthians and Sassanians probably knew they could beat, sooner or later, the romans in parthian territory. Sooner or later the romans would make a mistake (over-extend, unbalanced forces, tactical mistakes in unfavorable territory far from friendly cities....). It is also true the parthians never had any long term conviction they could do what they wanted in roman territory (Shapur was exception that confirms the rule).<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
Jeffery Wyss
"Si vos es non secui of solutio tunc vos es secui of preciptate."
"Si vos es non secui of solutio tunc vos es secui of preciptate."
