Gordian 's father - in - law , Timesitheus , leads a Roman army to defeat the Persians at Carrhae and Nisibis .
Shapur I makes a pre-emptive attack on Antioch to drive out the Romans .
Gordian 's father - in - law , Timesitheus , leads a Romans army to defeat the Persians at Carrhae and Nisibis .
Shapur I makes a pre-emptive attack on Antioch to drive out the Romans .