Shapur II (309–379), also known as Shapur the Great, was the tenth King of Kings, the monarch of the Sasanian Empire in what is now Iran. He took the title at birth and held it until his death at age 70, making him the longest-reigning monarch in Sasanian history. The son of Hormizd II, who reigned from 302 to 309, Shapur's reign saw the military resurgence of the Sasanian Empire and the expansion of its territory. This included, at the age of 16, successful military campaigns against Arab insurrections and tribes, and later campaigns against the Roman Empire, the invasion of Armenia, and expansion into India. This photograph shows a 4th-century silver bust of the head of a Sasanian king, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It is not known with certainty which king is depicted, but it may be Shapur II.Sculpture credit: unknown
