Shapur II

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Shapur II 𐭱𐭧𐭯𐭥𐭧𐭥𐭩
King of Kings of Iranians and non-Iranians
Bust of Shapur II
Shahanshah of the Sasanian Empire
Reign	309 – 379
Predecessor	Adur Narseh
Successor	Ardashir II
Regent	Ifra Hormizd (309‍–‍325)
Born	309
Died	379 (aged 70)
Issue	Shapur III Zurvandukht Zruanduxt
House	House of Sasan
Father	Hormizd II
Mother	Ifra Hormizd
Religion	Zoroastrianism (possibly Zurvanism)

Shapur II (Middle Persian: 𐭱𐭧𐭯𐭥𐭧𐭥𐭩 Šābuhr, 309–379), also known as Shapur the Great, was the tenth Sasanian King of Kings (Shahanshah) of Iran. He took the title at birth and held it until his death at age 70, making him the longest-reigning monarch in Iranian history. He was the son of Hormizd II (r. 302–309).

His reign saw the military resurgence of the country, and the expansion of its territory, which marked the start of the first Sasanian golden era. He is thus along with Shapur I, Kavad I and Khosrow I, regarded as one of the most illustrious Sasanian kings. His three direct successors, on the other hand, were less successful. At the age of 16, he launched enormously successful military campaigns against Arab insurrections and tribes who knew him as 'Dhū'l-Aktāf (ذو الأكتاف; 'he who pierces shoulders').

Shapur II pursued a harsh religious policy. Under his reign, the collection of the Avesta, the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, was completed, heresy and apostasy were punished, and Christians were persecuted. The latter was a reaction against the Christianization of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. Shapur II, like Shapur I, was amicable towards Jews, who lived in relative freedom and gained many advantages in his period (see also Rava). At the time of Shapur's death, the Sasanian Empire was stronger than ever, with its enemies to the east pacified and Armenia under Sasanian control.