Battle of Nineveh (627)

Battle of Nineveh
Part of the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628
Anachronistic depiction of the Battle of Nineveh in a late 15th century illuminated French manuscript (by Robinet Testard)
Date 12 December 627 Location Near Nineveh 36°21′34″N 43°09′10″E / 36.35944°N 43.15278°E / 36.35944; 43.15278 Result Byzantine victory
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire	Sasanian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Heraclius	Rahzadh † Vahram-Arshusha V (POW)
Strength
25,000–50,000 Byzantines[1] 40,000 Göktürks (deserted)	12,000 Sasanians[2]
Casualties and losses
50 killed[3]	6,000[2] to 12,000 killed[4]
class=notpageimage| Location within West and Central Asia Show map of West and Central Asia Battle of Nineveh (627) (Iraq) Show map of Iraq

The Battle of Nineveh was the climactic battle of the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628.

In mid-September 627, Heraclius invaded Sasanian Mesopotamia in a surprising, risky winter campaign. Khosrow II appointed Rhahzadh as the commander of an army to confront him. Heraclius' Göktürk allies quickly deserted, while Rhahzadh's reinforcements did not arrive in time. In the ensuing battle, Rhahzadh was slain and the remaining Sasanian forces retreated.

The Byzantine victory later resulted in civil war in Persia, and for a period of time restored the (Eastern) Roman Empire to its ancient boundaries in the Middle East. The Sasanian civil war significantly weakened the Sasanian Empire, contributing to the Muslim conquest of Persia.