Princess Sura of Parthia

Sura (d. 224 CE), was a Parthian princess and army commander.[1]

She was the daughter of the last Parthian monarch, Artabanus V (r. 213–224 CE). She is said to have acted as an advisor to her father.

Reportedly, the Roman emperor Caracalla suggested to king Artabanos IV (213–224 CE) that a marriage be arranged between himself, Caracalla, and Artabanos daughter, in order to unite the two empires.[2] Artabanos IV refused by arguing that such a “barbarian” wedding would not befit a Roman emperor, and that the two cultures were too different to be united.[3] According to Cassius Dio, the proposal was just a Roman pretext to invade Parthia. The identity of this princess is not known and may theoretically have been Sura, or another one of Artabanus daughters, if he had several. The women of the Arsacid dynasty is very fragmentary known, if at all.

She is documented for her acts after the revolt of Ardashir I (r. 224–240 CE), a former general who deposed her father, and founded the Sassanian Empire. Her father Artabanus V was killed in battle. After her father's death, princess Sura took command of troops loyal to her father and conducted guerilla warfare toward Ardashir I, to revenge her father's murder. She was killed in battle during her warfare.

References
  1. Mark, J. J. (31 January 2020). "Twelve Great Women of Ancient Persia". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  2. Cassius Dio (78.1.1, cf. also Herodian. 4.10 – 11)
  3. (Herodian. 4.10.2)
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