Battle of the Iron Bridge

Coordinates: 36°14′54″N 36°21′11″E / 36.24833°N 36.35306°E / 36.24833; 36.35306
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Battle of the Iron Bridge
Part of the
Arab–Byzantine Wars and
Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid

The Orontes River at its passage in Antioch; the battle was fought near this river
DateOctober 637 AD
Location
Gephyra near Antioch, Roman Syria
Result

Muslim
victory

Belligerents
Rashidun Caliphate
Arabs
Commanders and leaders
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
 Unknown
Strength
17,000[1] 15,000–20,000[1]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of the Iron Bridge was fought between the Muslim Rashidun army and the Byzantine army in 637 AD. The battle took its name from a nearby nine-arch stone bridge (also known as Jisr al-Hadid) spanning the Orontes River which had gates trimmed with iron.[1] It was one of the last battles fought between the Byzantines and Rashidun Caliphate in the province of Syria. The aftermath of the battle marked the nearly complete annexation of the province into the Rashidun Caliphate with the fall of its capital, Antioch.

Background

The Rashidun army had achieved a decisive victory at the

Harim and approached Antioch from the east.[3]

The battle

Twenty kilometers (12 mi) from the city, near modern-day Mahruba, a bridge of iron spanned the River

Muslim conquest of Syria, only exceeded by the battles of Ajnadayn and Yarmouk.[5][dubious – discuss] The remnants of the defeated Byzantine force retreated to Antioch. The Rashidun army later moved up and laid siege to Antioch, focusing on the Bridge and the Eastern gate (also Beroea gate).[6] The city surrendered on 30 October, 637.[citation needed][4] According to the treaty the citizens were allowed to depart in peace or forced to pay a tax.[6]

Aftermath

Following the surrender of Antioch, Rashidun army columns moved south along the

Ararat plain and west towards the Taurus Mountains. The Taurus Mountains in Anatolia thus marked the westernmost frontier of the Rashidun Caliphate in Anatolia.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Byzantine Battles: Battle of Iron Bridge".
  2. ISBN 0-7101-0104-X
    .
  3. al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir. History of the Prophets and Kings
    , Vol. 3, p. 98.
  4. ^ a b Crawford, Peter (16 July 2013). The War of the Three Gods: Romans, Persians and the Rise of Islam. Pen and Sword.
  5. al-Tabari, Muhammad Ibn Jarir. History of the Prophets and Kings
    , Vol. 3, pp. 99–100.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-1-317-54041-0
    . Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  7. ISBN 0-7101-0104-X
    .

36°14′54″N 36°21′11″E / 36.24833°N 36.35306°E / 36.24833; 36.35306

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_the_Iron_Bridge&oldid=1218932173"