Second Perso-Turkic War

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Second Perso-Turkic War


caption=
partof=
date=619
place=Central Asia
result=Decisive Sassanid victory
combatant1=Sassanid Persians
combatant2=Western Turkic Khaganate,
Hephthalites
commander1=Smbat Bagratuni
commander2=Tong Yabghu
strength1=2,000 Armenian Savaran (heavy cavalry), and an unknown amount of other units and other Sassanid Savaran
strength2=Unknown| casualties1=light
casualties2=heavy
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 Armenian General Smbat Bagratuni.

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 (elite heavy cavalry). Having lost this battle, the Turks and Hephthalites requested reinforcements. Sebeos exaggarates 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 combat.

After the death of their leader, which shattered troop morale, the Turks and Hephthalites retreated in a disorderly manner. The Savaran pursued them, routed them and killed many.

Sources

*Kaveh Farroukh, "Sassanian Elite Cavalry AD 224-642"

See also

*First Perso-Turkic War
*Third Perso-Turkic War