Battle of Amanus Pass

The Battle of Amanus Pass took place in 39 BC at Belen Pass in the Nur Mountains, after the Parthian defeat in the battle of the Cilician Gates. The Parthians, alarmed after their recent defeats by the forces of Publius Ventidius Bassus, began to concentrate their forces in northern Syria under the command of one of Parthia's best generals, Pharnapates.

Battle of Amanus Pass
Part of the Pompeian–Parthian invasion of 40 BC, the Roman–Parthian Wars
Date39 BC
Location
Amanus Pass (Belen Pass)
Result Decisive Roman Republic victory[1]
Belligerents
Roman Republic Parthian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Publius Ventidius Bassus
Pompaedius Silo		 Pharnapates  †
Strength
Ventidius: 4+ legions, cavalry, slingers[2] Horse archers, cataphracts[2]
Casualties and losses
Minimal Heavy

The battle

Pharnapates sent a strong Parthian detachment to protect the Syrian Gates, which protected a narrow pass over Mount Amanus. Ventidius sent forward one of his officers, Pompaedius Silo, with some cavalry, in order to capture this position. However, Pompaedius found himself compelled to engage with the forces of Pharnapates; the fighting was going in favour of the Parthians until Ventidius, who was concerned about his subordinate's situation, brought his forces into the fight. This move turned the tide of the battle, which resulted in the Parthians being overpowered and defeated. Pharnapates himself was among the slain.

Aftermath

When Pacorus I of Parthia heard news of this defeat he made the decision to retreat, and went about withdrawing his troops across the Euphrates. Ventidius did not hinder the Parthian withdrawal and instead proceeded to seize back Syria for the Roman Republic, which he succeeded in doing by early 38 BC.

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See also

Sources
  • Dando-Collins, Stephen. "Mark Antony's Heroes". Published by John Wiley and Sons, 2008 ISBN 0-470-22453-3, 978-0-470-22453-3

References
  1. Cavafy Historical Poems - J. Phillipson "Ventidius won decisive battles at Cilician Gates and Mt Amanus"
  2. Brice, Lee L. (2014). Warfare in the Roman Republic: From the Etruscan Wars to the Battle of Actium: From the Etruscan Wars to the Battle of Actium. ABC-CLIO. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-61069-299-1.
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