…Severus, like Trajan over a century before,…

…Severus, like Trajan over a century before, is unable to capture the Parthian-allied fortress of Hatra even after two lengthy sieges.

Ruled in the first and second centuries CE by a dynasty of Arabian princes whose written language is Aramaic, Hatra has become known as Beit al-'Allah (”House of God”), a reference to the city's numerous temples.

Among the gods honored are the Sumero-Akkadian god Nergal (Hermes), Atargatis (Aramean), al-L'at and Shumiyah (Arabian), and Shamash, the Mesopotamian sun god.

Built in a circular plan of military tradition, Hatra has been able able to turn back many attacks, including sieges by Roman forces in led by Trajan in 116-117 and those led by Severus in 198-199.