Second Turkish-Hephthalite War

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Date	619
Location	Central Asia, Sassanid Persia
Result	Sassanid victory

Combatants

Sassanid Persians

Western Turkish Khanate and Hephthalites

Commanders

General Smbat Bagratuni

Unknown

Strength

2,000 Armenian Savaran, and an unknown amount of other units and other Sassanid Savaran

Unknown but much larger than the Sassanid force

Casualties

light

heavy

The Second Turkish-Hephthalite war began in 619 with an invasion of Sassanid Persia (Iran) by the Turks and Hephthalites. The war ended with the defeat of the Turks and Hephthalites by the Sassanids under General Smbat Bagratuni.

[edit] Context

Having lost the first war against Persia (The Turkish-Hephthalite War) 30 years earlier, the invadors sought to change their fortunes while Persia was fighting Byzantium. They invaded Persia with an unknown number of men, but were defeated in the first battle near Tus, by a force of 2,000 Armenian Savaran. Having lost this battle, the Turks and Hephthalites requested reinforcements. Sebeos reports that 300,000 troops were sent to reinforce the invading army, however this is said to be an exaggeration.

With fresh troops, the force soon overran Datoyan and its 300 defenders. However, the Turks withdrew after their raids, which went as far as Isfahan. Smbat quickly reorganized the eastern Sassanian forces and finally crushed the Turks and Hephthalites, reportedly killing their leader in hand-to-hand battle.

After the death of their leader, which shattered troop moral, the Turks and Hephthalites retreated in a disorderly manner. The Savaran pursued them and routed many.