Siege of Dara (573)

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Siege of Dara (573)
Part of Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591

Ruins of the fortifications of Dara
Date573
Location
Dara
(modern-day Oğuz, Mardin, Turkey)
Result Sasanian victory
Belligerents
Sasanian Empire Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Khosrow I
Izadgushasp
Fariburz
Bahram Chobin
Sergius 
Ioannes (POW)[1]
Strength
  • 23,000 cavalry
  • 40,000 infantry
[2]

The siege of Dara was raised by the Sasanian king Khosrow I in 573 during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591. The fortified city fell after 4 months.[3]

The Sasanians cut through a hill to divert the city's water supply,

ballistae from the abandoned Roman Siege of Nisibis (573).[5]

The news of the fall of Dara, long a major

Byzantine stronghold in Upper Mesopotamia, drove Emperor Justin II insane.[3] Bahram Chobin was commander of the cavalry force in the siege, and was promoted to the spahbed of the North after this victory.[6]

References

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