The Battle of Istakhran
| Battle of Istakhran | |
| part of the Parthavan-Daryamenean Wars | |
| Date | Late 122 BI (exact date unknown) |
| Location | 20 miles south-east of Istakhra, north-east Parsa |
| Result | Decisive Parthavan victory |
| Combatants | |
|
Parthavans |
Daryameneans |
| Commanders | |
| Sepahpetish Aryane | Strateghos Daryamenes
Murdesenes Achalyon |
| Strength | |
| 1,000 Parthavan cavalry backed up with camel supply chains to cities | 30,000 Daryamenean phalanxes,
10,000 cavalry, 10,000 archers, 5,000 Companion cavalry |
| Casualties | |
| Negligable | Entire army killed or routed |
| Notes: This battle was later responsible for Daryamenes's death by an arrow wound. It created a huge power vacuum in the eastern reaches of Daryamenes's empire, allowing the Parthavans to conquer. | |
The Battle of Istakhran was a pivotal battle in the Parthavan-Daryamenean wars that allowed the Parthavans to enter and conquer the eastern parts of Daryamenes's empire.
Build up
The Parthavans had met once before with Daryamenes as mercenaries in the Artamashti Empire. They had fought alongside the Artamashti soldiers and had caused grave casualties to the Daryamenean line, being able to shoot down thousands with their strong bows. However due to the inadequacy of the Artamashti generals, these Parthavan horse archers were foolishly sent in to a charge once their ammunition had been used up, and here they were killed easily.
Daryamenes had also had problems with sending any supplies up to the north-east. In 123 BI, he had tried to send a caravan full of gifts to the Metaksour leaders for aiding him in his campaign against the Artamashtis. However, the Parthavans had plundered the train and had taken everything.
In 122 BI, Daryamenes went up north to try consolidate his power in the north-east of his empire by wiping out the Parthavans who had been causing him trouble. However, an efficient messenger chain informed the Parthavan leader, Aryane, that Daryamenes was coming, and what route he was taking. Quickly, she amassed an army consisting almost entirely of horse archers and lay in wait for the Daryameneans to come.
