Battle of Samarra

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Battle of Samarra

Date	363
Location	Samarra
Result	Sassanid victory

Combatants

Commanders

Strength

Unknown; either equal or less than the Byzantine army

35,000

Casualties

Unknown

Very heavy

Roman-Persian Wars
Carrhae– Resaena – Misiche – Barbalissos – Edessa – Singara – Amida – Ctesiphon – Samarra – Iberian War – Lazic War – Solachon - Issus – Nineveh

The battle of Samarra took place in 363 after the invasion of Sassanid Persia (Iran) by the Romans. The result was a Sassanid victory and a humiliating defeat for the Byzantine Empire. Emperor Julian the Apostate was killed in this battle.

[edit] Context

Julian invaded Persia with a force of 65,000 men, hoping to eliminate the Persian threat in the east. Julian made two blunderous mistakes at the very onset of the invasion. He split his force into two, one under General Procopius numbering 30,000 men, which went to northern Mesopotamia, and one numbering 35,000 men under his own leadership. His second mistake was not defeating the main Sassanid army before attacking the capital, which would eventually lead to his defeat in 363. Julian at first won a major victory outside Ctesiphon, but could not take the city. Therefore, he finally decided to chase the main Sassanid army.

The Sassanid army, under Shah Shapur II, implemented a scorched earth policy, and drew the Romans deeper and deeper into Persia, all the while harassing them and inflicting many casualties. Julian, realizing that his army could not get resupplied or reinforced, tried to commence a set piece battle with his enemy, but could not. Eventually, when the battle took place at Samarra, the Sassanids crushed the Byzantines, and killed Julian during the battle.

Julian's successor, Emperor Jovian was forced by Shapur to sign a humiliating treaty and surrender strategic cities such as Nisibis.