12-13-2010, 09:34 AM
December 12, 627 AD: Battle of Nineveh: A Roman army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II's Persian forces, commanded by General Rhahzadh. After the siege of Constantinople, heraclius had used the aid of the Gök Turks to go on a counteroffensive. After damaging the persian army by leading them into the Persian heartland instead of following them, both sides came to battle on the plains west of the Great Zab river. After eight hours of fighting, the Persians suddenly retreated to nearby foothills, but it was not a rout, although 6,000 Persians fell. According to one account, Rhahzadh challenged Heraclius to personal combat. Heraclius accepted and killed Rhahzadh in a single thrust; two other challengers fought and also lost.
With no opposition, Heraclius' army plundered the persian imperial palace at Dastagird, recovering 300 captured Byzantine flags. The Persian army rebelled and overthrew Khosrau II, raising his son Kavadh II, who immediately sued for peace. Under the peace treaty, the Byzantines regained all their lost territories, their captured soldiers, a war indemnity, and most importantly for them, the True Cross and other relics that were lost in Jerusalem in 614.
This was to be the last Roman victory in Mesopotamia.
With no opposition, Heraclius' army plundered the persian imperial palace at Dastagird, recovering 300 captured Byzantine flags. The Persian army rebelled and overthrew Khosrau II, raising his son Kavadh II, who immediately sued for peace. Under the peace treaty, the Byzantines regained all their lost territories, their captured soldiers, a war indemnity, and most importantly for them, the True Cross and other relics that were lost in Jerusalem in 614.
This was to be the last Roman victory in Mesopotamia.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
