Battle of Carrhae (296)
The Battle of Carrhae, also known as the Battle of Callinicum, took place in 296 or 297, after the invasion of Mesopotamia and Armenia by the Sasanian king Narseh. The battle took place between Carrhae (Harran) and Callinicum (al-Raqqah) and was a victory for the Sasanians. Narseh attacked with forces recruited from the Euphrates frontier. He managed to defeat his opponent by good timing.
Battle of Carrhae (296) | |||||||
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Part of the Roman–Persian Wars | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Sassanid Empire | Roman Empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Narseh |
Galerius Tiridates III of Armenia | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Heavy |
Galerius and Tiridates III of Armenia escaped with a remnant of their forces. Galerius met Diocletian in Antioch. Eutropius and Theophanes the Confessor have recorded versions of a celebrated story regarding a public humiliation of Galerius by Diocletian, though the latter retained Galerius in command.
Diocletian later sent reinforcements for Galerius, and the latter managed to defeat the Sassanids two years later at the Battle of Satala.