241 Death of Ardashir. His son Shapur or Sapor I succeeds.
242 Sapor penetrates to Antioch but is driven back by the Romans.
244 Philippus concludes a humiliating peace with Sapor. Peace reigns until
251 when Sapor invades Armenia and puts the king to flight. The Persians now make repeated invasions of Syria.
258 The Roman emperor Valerian takes the field against the Persians.
260 Capture of Valerian by Sapor. He proceeds towards Asia Minor but is repulsed by Odenathus, king of Palmyra, who lays siege to Ctesiphon. Sapor acquires no permanent gain of territory. In his reign Mani preaches his doctrines tending to the amalgamation of Christianity and Zoroastrianism, and leading to the formation of the Manichæan sect.
272 or 273 Sapor succeeded by his son Hormuz (Hormizd) or Hormisdas I.
274 Death of Hormuz and accession of his brother (?) Bahram or Varanes I—a weak prince, given to pleasure. Mani executed in his reign. Persecution of the Manichæans and Christians.
277 Bahram or Varanes II succeeds his father. He wars with Rome, ending