As related by Theodor Mommsen, The governor of Syria retained the civil administration of the whole large province undiminished, and held for long alone in all Asia a command of the first rank.

After this initial Sasanian invasion, remnants of the Roman army, including units from the Legio I Parthica and the Cohors IX Maurorum Gordiana, became stationed near Hatra.

Persian troops breached the limes and occupied numerous cities in the province of Mesopotamia[12] (including Nisibis itself[13][14]), before advancing westward across the Euphrates into Cappadocia,[15] Lycaonia,[16] and Syria, where they defeated the incoming Roman army near Barbalissos.

[27] Additionally, during Shapur I's last invasion, Edessa and Carrhae were besieged to the extent that Caesar Valerian was compelled to march against the Sasanian armies, without achieving the desired success.

[29] However, Valerian was defeated in battle, captured by King Shapur I, and forced to spend his final years in captivity, thus paving the way for a new devastating invasion of Syrian territories, which culminated in a new occupation of the metropolis of Antioch in 260.