Battle of Sisauranon (589)

{{Campaignbox Byzantine–Sassanid War of 572–591}}

{{Campaignbox Byzantine–Sassanid War of 572–591}}

==Background==

==Background==

[[File:MauriceTremissis.png|thumb|[[Solidus]] depicting Emperor [[Maurice (emperor)|Maurice]]]]

In early 589, the Sasanians had gained control of the city of [[Silvan, Diyarbakır|Martyropolis]] via the assistance of a [[turncoat]] Byzantine officer called Sittas. [[Philippicus (comes excubitorum)|Philippicus]], the [[magister militum|Magister Militum]] per Orientem, besieged the city shortly thereafter, but could not retake it despite an intense siege. A Sasanian relief army under Mahbod and Farhad also managed to reinforce the Persian garrison. As a result of Philippicus' lack of progress, [[List of Byzantine emperors|Emperor]] [[Maurice (emperor)|Maurice]] appointed Comentiolus as the new Magister Militum and dispatched him to take over command of operations against Persia.{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=170-171}}{{sfn|Whitby|1988|p=289}}

In early 589, the Sasanians had gained control of the city of [[Silvan, Diyarbakır|Martyropolis]] via the assistance of a [[turncoat]] Byzantine officer called Sittas. [[Philippicus (comes excubitorum)|Philippicus]], the [[magister militum|Magister Militum]] per Orientem, besieged the city shortly thereafter, but could not retake it despite an intense siege. A Sasanian relief army under Mahbod and Farhad also managed to reinforce the Persian garrison. As a result of Philippicus' lack of progress, Emperor Maurice appointed Comentiolus as the new Magister Militum and dispatched him to take over command of operations against Persia.{{sfn|Greatrex|Lieu|2002|pp=170-171}}{{sfn|Whitby|1988|p=289}}

==Battle of Sisauranon==

==Battle of Sisauranon==

==Aftermath==

==Aftermath==

[[File:Sasaniden- Ohrmazd IV. - Münzkabinett, Berlin - 5480859.jpg|thumb|Silver coin depicting [[Hormizd IV]]]]

A further strategic consequence of the battle concerned the survivors of the Persian army. After reaching Nisibis, the remnants of the Sasanian force feared the prospects of punishment by [[Shah|Shahenshah]] [[Hormizd IV]]. Prior to the battle, Hormizd threatened to execute them should they allow their commanders to fall to the enemy. The economizing measures of Hormizd in cutting soldiers' salary also diminished their loyalty to the [[Sasanian dynasty|dynasty]].{{sfn|Decker|2022|p=194}} In this situation, the actions of [[Bahram Chobin]] presented an opportunity to the soldiers in Nisibis. Following his recent defeat against the Byzantines at the [[battle of the Araxes (589)|Battle of the Araxes]], Bahram launched an insurrection against Hormizd when the latter attempted to dismiss him. After making oaths to overthrow Hormizd, the troops at Nisibis deserted their post and marched to join Bahram when he reached the [[Great Zab]].{{sfn|Whitby|Whitby|1986|p=138}} This led to the escalation of the revolt into a [[Sasanian civil war of 589–591|full-scale civil war]] in Persia, leading to the deposition of Hormizd and flight of his son [[Khosrow II|Khosrow]] to Byzantine territory.

A further strategic consequence of the battle concerned the survivors of the Persian army. After reaching Nisibis, the remnants of the Sasanian force feared the prospects of punishment by [[Shah|Shahenshah]] Hormizd IV. Prior to the battle, Hormizd threatened to execute them should they allow their commanders to fall to the enemy. The economizing measures of Hormizd in cutting soldiers' salary also diminished their loyalty to the [[Sasanian dynasty|dynasty]].{{sfn|Decker|2022|p=194}} In this situation, the actions of [[Bahram Chobin]] presented an opportunity to the soldiers in Nisibis. Following his recent defeat against the Byzantines at the [[battle of the Araxes (589)|Battle of the Araxes]], Bahram launched an insurrection against Hormizd when the latter attempted to dismiss him. After making oaths to overthrow Hormizd, the troops at Nisibis deserted their post and marched to join Bahram when he reached the [[Great Zab]].{{sfn|Whitby|Whitby|1986|p=138}} This led to the escalation of the revolt into a [[Sasanian civil war of 589–591|full-scale civil war]] in Persia, leading to the deposition of Hormizd and flight of his son [[Khosrow II|Khosrow]] to Byzantine territory.

== References ==

== References ==