Battle of Carrhae — Rome's Worst Eastern Defeat
Marcus Licinius Crassus was the richest man in Rome and one of the three members of the First Triumvirate, yet he lacked the military glory of Caesar and Pompey. His proconsular command in Syria in 55 BCE gave him the opportunity he sought. Against the advice of experienced eastern commanders, he invaded Parthia in 53 BCE. Crassus had approximately 40,000 men — seven legions, cavalry, and auxilia. The Parthian general Surena surrounded the Roman column on the plain near Carrhae and kept it under continuous arrow fire. The Romans formed the testudo with interlocked shields, but Parthian arrows pierced through at close range. When the Romans advanced, the Parthians retreated, maintaining the range. The camel train replenished the Parthians' arrows continuously — the Romans had expected them to run out. Crassus's son Publius led a cavalry charge that broke through temporarily but was surrounded and killed; his head was returned on a lance. During subsequent negotiations Crassus was seized and killed. Of 40,000 Romans, roughly 10,000 were killed, 10,000 captured, and 10,000 escaped. The seven captured legionary standards remained in Parthian hands until Augustus recovered them by diplomacy in 20 BCE.
- Year: 53 BCE
- Category: Military
