TODAY IN HISTORY, DECEMBER 12: HERO-EMPEROR HERACLIUS DEFEATS PERSIANS NEAR NINEVEH, 627! Retreating out of Persian territory after a successful chevauchée, the Eastern Roman Emperor Heraclius gives battle to pursuing Persians near the ruins of the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh (only miles from the battlefield of Gaugamela). Conducting a feigned withdrawal, under the cover of fog, Heraclius draws the Persians forward onto terrain favorable to the Romans. Heraclius attacks, enveloping the Persians and defeating their forces. Some 6,000 Persians fall. This is the last available Persian army in the field (all others being defeated in Heraclius earlier battles). With no Sassanid forces to oppose him, Heraclius turns south and into central Iraq; sacking the Sassanid city of Dastagird and capturing the Palace of Shah Khosraus and taking great booty. Heraclius also recovers Roman standards and trophies taken in past Roman defeats; including eagles taken from the army of the Emperor Valerian; captured by the Sassanids in 260 AD. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nineveh_(627)
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 16:41:15 +0000
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