Empire des Sassanides. Shapur II (309-379 apr. J.-C.). Drachm Kabul mint (Sans Prix de Réserve)

SASANIAN EMPIRE. Shapur II (AD 309-379). Silver Drachm, minted at Mint IX ("Kabul"), ca. AD 320-379. The obverse features a bust of Shapur II facing right, adorned with a mural crown topped with a korymbos (a globe-like ornament symbolizing divinity and royalty). The reverse displays a large flaming fire altar with ribbons, flanked by two attendants who face inward, each holding a raised sword in both hands and also wearing mural crowns with korymbos. Sunrise 847.

Diameter: 23 mm Weight: 3.76grams

Shapur II, the longest-reigning king of the Sasanian Empire, held power for seventy years, from AD 309 to 379. Remarkably, he was crowned while still in his mother’s womb — legend says that courtiers symbolically placed the crown on his mother’s belly, marking his reign before his birth. His rule is often considered the Golden Age of the Sasanian Empire, marked by significant military, cultural, and political achievements.
One of the most defining aspects of Shapur II's reign was his prolonged military campaign against the Roman Empire, a conflict that lasted for nearly thirty years. This war concluded with a major Sasanian victory, as Shapur II successfully reclaimed territories that had been lost in earlier conflicts with Rome, restoring and even expanding Persian control over these regions. His military prowess not only strengthened the western borders of the empire but also solidified his reputation as a powerful and effective ruler.
In the east, Shapur II expanded Sasanian influence to the borders of China, consolidating control over Central Asia. He secured alliances with various Hunnic tribes, using diplomacy as well as military might to stabilize the eastern frontier. These alliances not only extended the empire’s influence but also ensured a more peaceful and prosperous rule over the diverse regions of his empire.
Culturally, Shapur II’s reign saw a flourishing of Zoroastrianism, the state religion of the Sasanian Empire. He promoted the construction of fire temples and the codification of Zoroastrian religious texts, reinforcing the religious and cultural identity of his people. His reign also encouraged trade and intellectual exchange, further enriching the empire’s economic and cultural life.
Shapur II’s long and stable rule, marked by military success and cultural development, set the stage for what is often regarded as a peak in Sasanian civilization, making his reign a high point in Persian history.