Rhahzadh

Rhahzadh, alternatively known as Razates was a Persian Spahbod (commander) from the Mihran family under Sassanid king Khosrau II.

As the war with between Sassanid empire and Byzantium came close to its fifteenth year, when the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius made a bold move. As the campaigning season of 627 came to a close, Heraclius gathered his heterogeneous army of Khazars and Greeks and invaded the Persian heartland at the beginning of September. The news threw Khosrau into a panic. After 15 years of war his army was exhausted and his 2 foremost generals were not available. Shahin was dead and Shahrbaraz was away in Anatolia fearing that Khosrau wanted him dead. So Khosrau gathered an army and appointed as its commander Rhahzadh, a warlike and brave nobleman.

Rhahzadh moved to cut off Heraclius and prevent him from reaching Ctesphion. Heraclius continued burning and pillaging as he went, Rhahzadh following Heraclius, bidding his time until he was ready to meet the Greeks. Finally Heraclius crossed the Great Zab River and set up camp preventing Rhahzadh from crossing by the same bridge without forcing battle. Instead he moved down and forded downstream. When Heraclius heard of this he detached part of his army to harass Rhahzadh. In the skirmish the Greeks captured many Persians including Rhahzadh's personal armour-bearer. From him Heraclius learnt that Rhahzadh was awaiting some 3000 reinforcements. Heraclius became concerned when he heard of this. His army was severely depleted by the desertion of the Khazar contingent and was concerned that Rhahzadh's reinforcements could tip the scale.

So on the 12th December 627 Heraclius drew up his army on a plain and waited for Rhahzadh. Rhahzadh saw this and moved to meet the Greeks. He drew up his army in 3 divisions similar to phalanxes and advanced towards Heraclius. At the height of the battle Rhahzadh suddenly challenged Heraclius to single combat with the hope of forcing the Greeks to flee. Heraclius accepted the challenge and spurred his horse forward and with a single blow struck off Rhahzadh's head, taking from the dead Persian his shield of 120 gold plates and gold breastplate as trophies. With Rhahzadh's death so died the Persians hopes of victory, seeing their brave commander and many other high-ranking officers being slain by Heraclius and his household, the Persian troops lost heart and were slaughtered suffering around 6000 casualties.

See also

* Battle of Nineveh (627)