SECOND PERSO-TURKIC WAR

The 'Second Perso-Turkic War' began in 619 with an invasion of Sassanid Persia by the Göktürks and Hephthalites under Tong Yabghu. The war ended with the defeat of the Turks and Hephthalites by the Sassanids under General Smbat Bagratuni.

Contents

Context

Sources

See also

Context

Having lost the first war against Persia during the First Perso-Turkic War, 30 years earlier, the invaders sought to change their fortunes while Persia was fighting Byzantium. They invaded Persia with an unknown number of men, but were defeated in the first battle near Tus, by a force of 2,000 Armenian Savaran. Having lost this battle, the Turks and Hephthalites requested reinforcements. Sebeos reports that 300,000 troops were sent to reinforce the invading army, however this is said to be an exaggeration.
With fresh troops, the force soon overran Datoyan and its 300 defenders. However, the Turks withdrew after their raids, which went as far as Isfahan. Smbat quickly reorganized the eastern Sassanid forces and finally crushed the Turks and Hephthalites, reportedly killing their leader in hand-to-hand battle.
After the death of their leader, which shattered troop moral, the Turks and Hephthalites retreated in a disorderly manner. The Savaran pursued them and routed many.

Sources

★ Kaveh Farroukh, ''Sassanian Elite Cavalry AD 224-642''

See also

★ First Perso-Turkic War

★ Third Perso-Turkic War