A reverse of a unique coin of Shapur I in the context of the Sasanian-Roman peace treaty of 244

Abstract

The Sasanian king Shapur I held a series of victorious campaigns against the Roman Empire. They were described in an inscription at Ka’be-ye Zardosht in Naqsh-e Rostam, and their visual display are the victory reliefs made on his order in Western Iran. The interludium of the wars was the peace treaty of 244 concluded by the Shahanshah Shapur I and the emperor Philip the Arab. The article aims in re-analysing of the reverse of a unique gold double dinar of Shapur I, first published by Michael Alram, in perspective of iconography compared with the royal reliefs and its legend in historical context.