ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by examining some important distinctions between conflict and competition in the third and fourth centuries. The topic of trade as a factor is discussed and the changed nature of the role of religion in the fourth century is introduced. This chapter also investigates changes in the nature of sources and historiography on the relationship between Rome and Persia in the fourth century compared with the third century. While the third century is comparatively richer in sources from the Persian side, the fourth-century sources are considerably more skewed towards Rome. Texts of a religious nature, especially those produced by Christians, became a significant element of the textual source tradition in the fourth century and later and issues associated with this are considered in this chapter. The chapter then analyses the internal situation in Persia ca. 300–25 together with the issues Constantine and Shapur II faced internally in the 320s and 330s. Developments in Arabia and Armenia also form part of the analysis in this chapter and a detailed coverage of the lead-up to Constantine’s Persian war and the question of the role of Christianity in this war is also provided.
