His tactics were successful.

The Roman army in Mesopotamia was betrayed into a situation whence escape was impossible, and where its capitulation was only a question of time.

A bold attempt' made to force a way through the enemy's lines failed utterly, after which famine and pestilence began to do their work.

In vain did the aged emperor send envoys to propose a peace, and offer to purchase escape by the payment of an immense sum in gold.

Sapor, confident of victory, refused the overture, and, waiting patiently till his adversary was at the last gasp, invited him to a conference, and then treacherously seized his person.