Battle of Nineveh
Near the ruins of Nineveh, Mosul, Iraq
What happened
The Byzantine emperor Heraclius fought a Sasanian Persian army under the general Rhahzadh. The Byzantine and Persian empires had been at war for 25 years. In a bold winter campaign, Heraclius marched deep into Persian lands. Near the ancient ruins of Nineveh he pretended to retreat, then turned on the Persian army; Rhahzadh fell, and organised Persian resistance ended.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It led to the end of the last great war between Rome's eastern empire and Persia. Both empires were left exhausted, which helped the early Muslim armies defeat them soon afterwards.
What came next
In 628 the Persian king Khosrow II was overthrown, and his son made peace, returning conquered lands and the relic of the True Cross. Heraclius returned the True Cross to Jerusalem in 629 or 630.
Did you know?
A Byzantine historian claimed Heraclius beat Rhahzadh in single combat, but modern historians doubt this story.
Timeline
- 602The Byzantine-Sasanian War begins.
- 12 December 627Heraclius wins at Nineveh.
- 628Khosrow II is overthrown and peace is made.
- 21 March 629 or 630Heraclius returns the True Cross to Jerusalem.
- 636Arab forces defeat the Byzantines at Yarmuk.