At the Battle of Carrhae (modern Urfa, Turkey), Parthian General Surena with 10,000 cavalry crushed the Roman army under Crassus. This was one of the greatest defeats in Roman history.
Fun Facts
Crassus was one of Rome's three most powerful men (with Caesar and Pompey) who came seeking Persian gold and was killed. Romans say the Parthians poured molten gold in his mouth! Seven Roman legion standards were captured—a humiliation Rome never forgot.
Related Events
Foundation of Achaemenid Empire
Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great) rebelled against Astyages, the Median king and his maternal grandfather, winning the Battle of Pasargadae (550 BCE). Uniting Persians and Medes, he founded the Achaemenid Empire—history's largest empire to that date, spanning from the Indus to the Aegean.
Fall of Babylon to Persian Army
On the 16th of Tishri (around 15-20 Mehr), Persian forces under Gobryas (Ugbaru) entered Babylon without battle. Nabonidus, the last Babylonian king, fled, and the city surrendered peacefully. This peaceful conquest marked a turning point in world history.
Cyrus the Great Day (Entry into Babylon)
According to the Nabonidus Chronicle, on the 3rd of Arahsamnu (7 Aban), Cyrus the Great personally entered Babylon, 17 days after the city fell to Persian forces. The chronicle states: 'Green branches were spread before him' and the people welcomed him magnificently. Cyrus sent greetings of peace and friendship to all cities.
Conquest of Egypt by Cambyses II
Cambyses II defeated Pharaoh Psamtik III at the Battle of Pelusium, making Egypt the 27th Achaemenid satrapy. He adopted the title of Pharaoh and took the Egyptian name "Mesuti-Ra" (Born of Ra).