Valerian was an old and popular emperor. His reign was marked by horrible and devastating invasions of the Franks, Alemanni, Goths and Persians. Each of the different groups attacked from different directions and the empire was left unguarded. The Franks leaped out of the Rhine and led a horrific raid that reached up to North Africa. The Alemanni attacked northern Italy and wore finally checked after several brutal battles led by the Emperors son, Gallienus. Perhaps the most devastating invasion, was those of the Goths. By building a navy and crossing the Bosphorous, the Goths reached Greece and wrecked havoc on large areas of that province. Athens, Sparta, Thebes, Argos and Cornith where but a few of the ancient cites that were left in flames. Statues, libraries, books, temples everything of value was effaced. It was a precursor to the coming devastating raids that were to engulf the whole Roman world. For a time, the east seemed to be in the same peril. It was also the sight of the worst degradation and humiliation that a Roman emperor ever endured at the hands of foreigners.

King Sapor I of Persia, son of the revolutionary Ardashir and grandson of Sassan had just overthrown the last Parthian prince in Armenia. Soon he made plans of reconquering the empire of Cyrus the Great. He began by invading Syria, there emperor Valerian would personally opposed him for the last time. In the ensuing battle, Valerians' legions where badly beaten. King Sapor demanded to negotiate with Valerian in person. Having no other choice, Emperor Valerian went to meet Sapor. What ensured at their conference we may never fully understand. But, we are fully aware of the fact that during the negotiations, King Sapor seized king Valerian took him as his prisoner! He then, went on to ravage Antioch, Edessa and other cities of the east.

The eastern provinces would have been lost permanently if it were not for the independent actions of a local senator. Odenathus had made a fortune owing the caravans of the city of Palmyra. After Sapor's invasion he sent gifts to the king. The haughty Persian however threw them in the river and verbally abused Odenathus. Humiliated and ashamed, Odenathus began to form an army to resist. The legions had been defeated so, Odenathus hired mercenaries and tribesmen of the desert. Using hit and run tactics, he harassed the great Persian army returning home and took back a large part of their treasure. Odenathus was heralded as a great hero back in Rome and after his death Palmyra would become an independent state under the rule of his wife, Zenobia.