The Battle of Carrhae
The Battle of Carrhae was a battle between the Romans, led by Crassus, and the Parthians, led by Surena in 53 BCE. In it, the Parthians defeated the Romans, and it was one of the most crushing defeats in roman history. Crassus started the battle by seeking military glory and invading Mesopotamia, Crassus' army met Surena's army near Carrhae. Crassus' general Cassius wanted the army to line up normally, but Crassus panicked and ordered a hollow square formation, 12 cohorts by 12 cohorts. When this happened, Crassus' men heavily outnumbered Surena's men, but Surena managed to defeat the roman army by killing or capturing most of the infantry. When it was clear that Surena and his men were doing to win, Surena proposed a truce: he would let the Romans safely retreat back to Syria if the Romans gave the Parthians all of their territory east of the Euphrates river. However, before the meeting could be finished, one of the Parthians became violent and a fight broke out. By the end of the fight, Crassus and some of his men were killed, and the death of Crassus marked the end of the first triumvirate. In addition to defeating the Romans, the Parthians also captured many eagle standards, which were never found. This was a huge disgrace to the Romans, especially because more than one standard was lost.
After the end of the first triumvirate, the Roman Republic ended. Because of this, civil war broke out and Caesar seized power and began the roman dictatorship, which was the beginning of the Roman Monarchy. When Caesar was assassinated, he was planning a retaliatory war against the Parthians to regain their pride.
After the end of the first triumvirate, the Roman Republic ended. Because of this, civil war broke out and Caesar seized power and began the roman dictatorship, which was the beginning of the Roman Monarchy. When Caesar was assassinated, he was planning a retaliatory war against the Parthians to regain their pride.