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Siege of Martyropolis (531)

Siege of Martyropolis (531)
Part of the Iberian War
DateAutumn 531 AD
Location
Martyropolis, Byzantine Empire
(modern-day Silvan, Şanlıurfa, Turkey)
38°8′31.99″N 41°0′5.00″E / 38.1422194°N 41.0013889°E / 38.1422194; 41.0013889
Result
  • Tactical Sasanian failure
  • End of the Iberian War
Belligerents
Sasanian Empire
Huns
Byzantine Empire
Ghassanids
Commanders and leaders
Chanaranges
Bawi
Mihr-Mihroe

Garrison force:
Bouzes
Dux Bessas
Bishop Nonnus 

Field army (not engaged):
Strategos Sittas
Hermogenes
Al-Harith ibn Jabalah
Strength
Large army
Siege of Martyropolis (531) is located in Turkey
Siege of Martyropolis (531)
Location within Turkey

A siege of Martyropolis occurred in the Autumn of 531 during the Iberian War between the Sasanian Empire under Kavadh I and the Byzantine Empire under Justinian I.

A Roman raid from Martyropolis triggered the Sasanians to launch a siege on the newly fortified frontier city. Initially, the Sasanians had the upper hand, but a series of political events and logistical issues led them to withdraw. It was the last conflict of the Iberian War.

Background

Earlier, the Sasanian king Kavadh I had ordered a campaign which resulted in a battle at Callinicum. Although the Persians were victorious, the victory was narrow, and no fortress was captured, thus making the campaign inconclusive. Both Belisarius and Azarethes, the Byzantine and Sasanian generals at Callinicum, respectively, were dismissed due to the high casualties of this battle. Emperor Justinian I then appointed Sittas as strategos in charge of the east.

At this time, Justinian's policy was to bolster the Roman position and at the same time try to make a truce with the Persians.

In Mesopotamia, Bessas had recently been appointed as dux Mesopotamiae with the frontier city of Martyropolis as his base, which was recently fortified by emperor Justinian I. From there, he performed a successful raid into the Sasanian border land of Arzanene, killing hundreds.

Siege

This led the Sasanians to lay siege on Martyropolis with a capable force under three veteran generals, Adergoudounbades ("Chanaranges"), Bawi ("Aspebedes"), and Mihr-Mihroe. Roman garrison force was commanded by Bessas and Bouzes. Sittas and his Ghassanid ally Al-Harith ibn Jabalah were stationed near the city, but avoided engagement since the Persians had the upper hand in the conflict.

However, a series of political events, including the death of Kavadh I and the perceived threat of Huns, as well as the arrival of winter and the presence of Roman reinforcements at Amida all led the Sasanian field commanders to abandon the siege and agree on an armistice.

Aftermath

Justinian I and the new Sasanian king Khosrow I signed a peace treaty dubbed Perpetual Peace a year later, ending the Iberian War.

References

  • Greatrex, Geoffrey; Lieu, Samuel N. C. (2002). The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars (Part II, 363–630 AD). London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-14687-9, p. 95