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Battle of Dara

Type Event Region West Asia Time 530

In 530 CE, the Eastern Roman general Belisarius engaged the Sasanian Persian army near Dara on the Mesopotamian frontier, defeating a larger Persian …

Timeline

  1. 530City of Dara · Northern MesopotamiaUnder Firuz (Persian commander), the Sasanian Persians assembled about 40,000 troops and reached the Byzantine border fortress of Dara, intending to break through the Mesopotamian defenses.
  2. 530Outside Dara · West AsiaBelisarius led about 25,000 Byzantine troops out of the city, dug ditches, and deployed infantry in the center with cavalry on both flanks, using the terrain to offset the Persian numerical advantage.
  3. 530Battlefield outside Dara · West AsiaRepeated Persian assaults failed; their line was outflanked by Byzantine cavalry and collapsed, suffering heavy casualties and forced to retreat. This battle became a classic case recorded in Procopius's Wars.

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