Battle of Samarra (363)

Battle of Samarra
Part of Julian's Persian expedition
Death of the Julian the Aposthate in the battle of Samarra (Cassell's Illustrated Universal History, vol. 3, 1882)
Date June 363 AD[1] Location Samarra, Mesopotamia Result Disputed
Belligerents
Sasanian Empire	Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Shapur II Merena †	Emperor Julian †

The Battle of Samarra took place in June 363, during the invasion of the Sasanian Empire by the Roman emperor Julian. After marching his army to the gates of Ctesiphon and failing to take the city, Julian, realizing his army was low on provisions and in enemy territory started marching towards Samarra.

The battle began as a Sasanian attack on the Roman rearguard, but developed into a major battle. Julian was wounded during the battle, and later died without choosing a successor. Following Julian's death, the Romans elected Jovian as emperor. Stranded deep in Sasanian territory and suffering from a lack of supplies, Jovian was forced to accept terms for peace.