53 BC
Battle of Carrhae
Parthian cavalry decisively defeated Crassus and his Roman army at Carrhae.
- Time period
- 53 BC
- Region
- Upper Mesopotamia
- Theme
- Military
- Civilization
- Parthian Empire
The Battle of Carrhae was fought in 53 BC near present-day Harran, Turkey, between the Roman Republic and the Parthian Empire. Parthian forces under Surena used horse archers and armored cavalry to overwhelm the Roman army commanded by Marcus Licinius Crassus. Crassus died during subsequent truce negotiations, and the campaign became one of Rome's most devastating military defeats.