Shapur III

Shapur III. (Persian شاپور Shapur [ ʃɔ ː pu ː r]; † 388 ) was 383-388 Great King of Sassanidenreichs.

Shapur was the son of Shapur II and followed Ardashir II on the throne after after it was defeated in a power struggle. Due to internal problems sought Shapur III. a settlement with the Roman Empire. Probably (but not secured ), it came in the year 387 to a contract with the Roman emperor in the East, Theodosius I. Thus was the always controversial Armenia divided, but Persia awarded the majority due to its relatively strong position got (4/5 of the country see Persarmenien ). In the context of an approach to the Christian Roman Empire and the end of the persecution of Christians in the Sassanid Empire is seen, which had begun under Shapur II. In the East, the so-called Kushano - Sassanid dominion finally collapsed. This was associated with the loss of some eastern territories; this is evident from the end of some Sasanian coins of the north-east of the empire.

Shapur finally fell 388 a palace coup victim and was murdered.