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By the early 3rd century, the Parthian Empire was on its last legs. The Parthians had been defeated by the Romans in all the major wars of the 2nd century, and Ctesiphon has been sacked by the Romans in 116, 165, and 198. The various Parthian sub-kingdoms and satrapies were becoming increasingly autonomous and independent. The Romans were militarily ascendant: the Empire had conquered and subjugated northern Mesopotamia in 199, and planted the imperial eagles in Adiabene, on the eastern side of the Tigris.

Assuming the Emperor Caracalla is not assassinated in 217, and continues his eastern campaign, accomplishing to the weakened Parthian Empire what Heraclius accomplished in the 7th century: the annihilation of the heavy cavalry kataphractoi and horse-archer core of the Parthian army, and the overthrow or death of the Parthian shāhanshāh.

Caracalla not a military genius by any means, but was well liked by the soldiery, and possessed a far greater superiority over the Parthians then Heraclius possessed over the Sassanid Persians (if, indeed, any).

What will be the military and political consequences for the Roman and Parthian empires in the third century? Will the Roman Empire succeed in establishing control over the entirety of Mesopotamia? Will it extend the Roman frontiers beyond the Tigris? Will the Parthian Empire collapse? Will the 3rd century crisis be averted?
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