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Battle of Edessa Area Today

A map of the area around the battle positions

Battle of Edessa summary

The Battle of Edessa took place between the armies of the Roman Empire under the command of Emperor Valerian and Sassanid forces under Shahanshah (King of the Kings) Shapur I in 260.

  1. With his army in a weakened state from Plague Valerian marched eastward to the Sassanid borders.
  2. The Romans met the main Persian army under command of the King Shapur I, between Carrhae and Edessa.
  3. The Roman army was defeated and retreated to a temporary position to regroup.
  4. The Roman army was besieged by the Persian forces
  5. Valerian tried to negotiate but he was captured and his army surrendered after that.