Carrhae
War: First Triumvirate, Wars of the


Date: 53 b.c.
Location: Mesopotamia (Iraq)
Outcome: Parthian decisive victory over the Roman-Crassus forces Decisive battle

Principal
Commanders: Roman : Marcus Licinius Crassus
: Orodes

Overview: A crushing defeat of the Roman army -- 5,500 troops killed out 6,000. Crassus was executed after the battle.
Fought B.C. 53, between the Romans, 52,000 strong, under Publius Crassus, and the Parthians under Sillaces. The Parthians, who were entirely cavalry, adopted their usual tactics of retiring and drawing their foes in pursuit. As the heavily armed legionaries became strung out across the plain, they turned upon them and cut them down in detail. Of the division, 6,000 strong, which actually came into action, 500 were made prisoners, and the rest, including Crassus, slain.