 After having dealt with the Arabs of eastern Arabia, he continued his expedition into western Arabia and Syria, where he attacked several cities—he even went as far as Medina.Because of his cruel way of dealing with the Arabs, he was called "Dhū'l-Aktāf" ("he who pierces shoulders") by them.Not only did Shapur II pacify the Arabs of the Persian Gulf, but he also pushed many Arab tribes further deep into the Arabian Peninsula.