In 530, the Battle of Dara was fought between the Byzantines under Belisarius against the Sassanids under Kavadh I during the Iberian War.
Why did it happen?
At the beginning of the sixth century, the Byzantine Empire was eager to guard its eastern borders against the Sassanid Empire of Persia, which had come to power in 224. In 506, a fortress outpost called Dara was constructed on the frontier with the Sassanid Empire in Syria. This fortress dominated essential trade routes in the region, which created political tension between both empires. In 527, Justinian I, emperor of the Byzantine Empire, declared war against the Sassanids. The Iberian War, as it became known, was named after the kingdom of Iberia in Georgia, which was a client state of the Sassanids but defected to the Byzantines after tensions involving tribute and the spice trade. Initially, the Sassanids won several major battles against the Byzantines, encouraging Kavadh I to march an army against Dara in 530. After encamping at Ammodius, they marched out to engage the Byzantines under Belisarius in front of Dara.
Who was involved?
The Byzantine army at Dara numbered 10,000 infantry and 15,000 cavalry. The Byzantine infantry was positioned behind a trench with 1,200 Hunnic cavalry in front. Belisarius commanded a cavalry reserve behind the infantry, while Pharas and Count John led around 6,500 cavalry on both the left and right wings, respectively. In addition, 600 Hunnic cavalry were hidden in the hills to the left of Dara. The Sassanid army at Dara numbered 40,000 infantry and cavalry. The infantry was positioned in the centre under Kavadh I. It consisted of two lines: mercenary slingers, archers, and javelin throwers made up the first line, while Persian peasant levy infantry made up the second line. The Sassanid cavalry was positioned in two lines on the left and right wings under Firouz and Nisibis, respectively, and consisted of both cilbanari heavy cavalry and light horsemen.
What happened?
The Byzantine and Sassanid armies began the battle with prolonged arrow fire between their archers, after which the Sassanid cavalry attacked both wings of the Byzantine army. The Sassanid right wing pushed back the Byzantine left wing but was then attacked in the flank and rear by 600 Hunnic cavalry. At the same time, the Sassanid left wing pushed back the Byzantine right wing to the walls of Dara, only to become separated from the rest of the main army. Belisarius then led his cavalry reserve and 1,200 Hunnic cavalry against the Sassanid left wing, attacking it in the flank and rear before driving it from the battlefield. Finally, Belisarius led all the cavalry on his right wing against the unprotected flank of the Sassanid infantry, which broke and routed, leaving behind 8,000 killed.
What changed as a result?
The Battle of Dara was a Byzantine victory. Justinian was so delighted by this victory that he appointed Belisarius chief commander in the east. The following year, however, Belisarius suffered a defeat at the Battle of Callinicum, and the war continued until 532 when the Byzantines and Sassanids signed a peace treaty. Despite restoring the status quo, Justinian dreamed of reuniting the old Roman Empire under his rule. In 533, he sent 10,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry under Belisarius to retake North Africa and Italy from the Vandals and Ostrogoths. Although partially successful, Belisarius was recalled in 540 on suspicion by Justinian of aspiring to rule the lands he had conquered. In 562, Belisarius was accused of conspiracy and was imprisoned for several months before being released and living out the rest of his days in peace. Following Justinian’s death in 565, war resumed between the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires. Dara was captured by the Sassanids in 573, and the Byzantine-Sassanid Wars concluded in 628, with both empires exhausted after a century of war.
Bibliography
Chandler, David G. The Art of Warfare on Land. Harmondsworth, Penguin Books, 2000.
Grant, R.G. Battle: A Visual Journey Through 5,000 Years of Combat. London, Dorling Kindersley, 2005.
Haldon, John. The Byzantine Wars. Stroud, History Press, 2008.
McNab, Chris. The World’s Worst Military Disasters. London, Amber Books, 2005.