The Sasanian destruction of a 60,000-strong Roman army at Barbalissos left the Roman East defenseless, enabling the capture of Antioch and Dura Europos.
Key Facts
- Roman force strength
- 60,000 troops
- Roman army outcome
- Destroyed
- Victor
- Sasanian Empire under Shapur I
- Primary source
- Shapur I's inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam
- Subsequent losses
- Antioch and Dura Europos captured ~3 years later
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Shapur I used Roman military incursions into Armenia as a pretext to resume hostilities against Rome, launching a major offensive into Roman-held territory along the Euphrates frontier around 252 AD.
Sasanian forces under Shapur I engaged and annihilated a Roman army estimated at 60,000 troops at Barbalissos on the Euphrates. The Roman force was completely destroyed in the battle, marking a decisive Sasanian victory.
The destruction of the Roman army stripped the eastern frontier of its defenses, directly enabling Sasanian forces to advance into Syria and leading to the capture of Antioch and Dura Europos approximately three years after the battle.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Shapur I.
Side B
1 belligerent