Artabanus IV soon clashed with the Roman emperor Caracalla, whose forces he managed to contain at Nisibis in 217. Peace was made between the two empires the following year, with the Arsacids keeping most of Mesopotamia.
In 217, Artabanus IV faced off against Roman emperor Caracalla near Nisibis and managed to control his forces. A truce was reached between the empires the subsequent year, allowing the Arsacids to maintain much of Mesopotamia.