Battle of Amanus Pass - Misplaced Pages

Roman victory over Parthian army in 39BC

Battle of Amanus Pass

Part of the Pompeian–Parthian invasion of 40 BC, the Roman–Parthian Wars

Date	39 BC
Location	Amanus Pass (Belen Pass)
Result	Roman victory

Belligerents

Roman Republic

Parthian Empire

Commanders and leaders

Publius Ventidius
Pompaedius Silo

Pharnapates †

Strength

Ventidius: 4+ legions, cavalry, slingers

Horse archers, cataphracts

Casualties and losses

Minimal

Heavy

v t e Roman–Persian Wars
Roman–Parthian Wars Carrhae Caesar's planned invasion Pompeian–Parthian invasion Cilician Gates Amanus Pass Mt Gindarus Mark Antony's campaign Armenian War of 58–63 Trajan's Parthian campaign Lucius Verus' campaigns 2nd Ctesiphon Parthian war of Caracalla Nisibis Roman–Sasanian wars Mesopotamia Campaign of Severus Alexander Nisibis (235) Hatra Resaena Misiche Nisibis (252) Barbalissos Antioch (253) Dura-Europos Edessa Antioch (260) Caesarea (260) 3rd Ctesiphon Carrhae (296) Satala Perso-Roman wars of 337–361 1st Singara Amida 2nd Singara Julian's Persian expedition Pirisabora Maiozamalcha Ctesiphon Maranga Samarra Bagrevand Byzantine–Sasanian Wars War of 421–422 War of 440 Anastasian War Iberian War Lazic War War of 572–591 War of 602–628

Roman–Persian Wars

Roman–Parthian Wars

Roman–Sasanian wars

Byzantine–Sasanian Wars

The Battle of Amanus Pass took place in 39 BC at the Syrian Gates in the Nur Mountains, after the Parthian defeat in the battle of the Cilician Gates. The Parthians, alarmed after their recent defeats by the forces of Publius Ventidius, began to concentrate their forces in northern Syria under the command of one of Parthia's best generals, Pharnapates.

Battle

Pharnapates sent a strong Parthian detachment to protect the Syrian Gates, which protected a narrow pass over Mount Amanus. Ventidius sent forward one of his officers, Pompaedius Silo, with some cavalry, in order to capture this position. However, Pompaedius found himself compelled to engage with the forces of Pharnapates; the fighting was going in favour of the Parthians until Ventidius, who was concerned about his subordinate's situation, brought his forces into the fight. This move turned the tide of the battle, which resulted in the Parthians being overpowered and defeated. Pharnapates himself was among the slain.

Aftermath

When Pacorus I of Parthia heard news of this defeat he made the decision to retreat, and went about withdrawing his troops across the Euphrates. Ventidius did not hinder the Parthian withdrawal and instead proceeded to seize back Syria for the Roman Republic, which he succeeded in doing by early 38 BC.

References

Cavafy Historical Poems - J. Phillipson "Ventidius won decisive battles at Cilician Gates and Mt Amanus"
^ Brice, Lee L. (2014). Warfare in the Roman Republic: From the Etruscan Wars to the Battle of Actium: From the Etruscan Wars to the Battle of Actium. ABC-CLIO. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-61069-299-1.

Sources

Dando-Collins, Stephen. "Mark Antony's Heroes". Published by John Wiley and Sons, 2008 ISBN 0-470-22453-3, 978-0-470-22453-3

v t e Parthian Empire
Origins	Parni Dahae Parni conquest of Parthia
Dynasty	Armenia Iberia Caucasian Albania Chosroid Indo-Parthia
Noble clans	Seven Great Houses Ispahbudhan Karen Mihran Spandiyadh Suren Varaz Zik
Culture	Art Coinage Dress Language Music
Wars	Seleucid–Parthian Wars Battle of Ecbatana Roman–Parthian Wars Roman–Parthian War of 58–63 Roman–Parthian War of 161–166 Antony's Atropatene campaign Pompeian–Parthian invasion of 40 BC Battle of Ctesiphon (165) Battle of Ctesiphon (198) Battle of Carrhae Battle of the Cilician Gates Battle of Mount Gindarus Battle of Amanus Pass Battle of Nisibis (217) Parthian war of Caracalla Armenian–Parthian War Bactrian–Parthian War
Related	Parthia Parthian army Parthian Dark Age Parthian shot Roman–Iranian relations
Lists	Parthian monarchs Rulers of Parthian sub-kingdoms

36°28′46″N 36°13′55″E / 36.4795°N 36.232°E / 36.4795; 36.232

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