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• Comment: Read WP:REFB to understand how to use inline citations and properly format references. Bobby Cohn (talk) 14:10, 8 August 2024 (UTC)

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Battle of Balkh (589 CE)

The Battle of Balkh was the name assigned to one of the fundamental military engagements between the Sassanian Empire and the Göktürks, dated back to 589 CE. The battle took place in the environs of the key city of Balkh in northern Afghanistan nowadays. In sum, the conflict was an important moment in a succession of clashes between the Sassanian Empire and the Turkic nomadic tribes, who could, at that period, be successfully establishing their supremacy throughout Central Asia.

Background

By the late 6th century, the Sassanian Empire was having hard times under the reign of Hormizd IV, to whom many had revolted, both internally and externally. The Göktürks were an efficient Turkic confederation that had appeared as a powerful force; their influence had prevailed over Central Asia. This had presented a direct threat to the Sassanian eastern frontier.

The Battle

In 589 CE, Göktürk Khagan Bagha Qaghan launched a campaign against the Sassanian territories, taking advantage of the fact that the empire had already become very weak. Near Balkh, the Sassanian troops led by General Bahram Chobin emerged to fight the Göktürk army. The fight was quite long and hard from both sides, with large numbers deployed on both sides.

It was at this point that the Göktürks began to exploit their superior mobility and strategic tactics. Although it was a huge army with powerful fortifications, it was very difficult for the Sassanian army to respond effectively against the highly mobile Turkic cavalry while it was operating in such poor terrain.

Aftermath

The battle was an out-and-out victory for the Göktürks. That defeat was very essential for the control that the Sassanian Empire held over the land and further weakened the defenses of the east. The victory allowed the Göktürks to gain greater influence over Central Asia and extend out into Sassanian territories.

The defeat at Balkh exaggerated the domestic strife in Sassanian. It also marked another significant turn taken by the Sassanian-Turkic wars, since from now on, growing Turkish pressure was felt along the eastern borders of the empire. Its defeat clearly represented the predicament of the Sassanian Empire in securing its borders from nomadic raids.

References

Daryaee, Touraj. *The Sasanian Empire: The Rise and Fall of a Late Antique Empire*. [Publisher], [Year].

- Frye, Richard N. *The History of Ancient Iran*. [Publisher], [Year].

Battle of balkh (589 CE)
Date 589 ce Location Balkh Result Göktürk Expansion: The victory allowed the Göktürks to consolidate their power in the region and increase their territorial influence
Belligerents
Sassanid empire	Gökturks
Bahram chobin	Khagan Bagha Qaghan
Units involved
30000-40000	20000-30000
Casualties and losses
Unkown	Unkown
Specific casualty figures for the Battle of Balkh (589 CE) are not well-documented

- Liu, Xinru. *The Silk Road in World History*. [Publisher], [Year].

- Al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir. *The History of Prophets and Kings (Tarikh al-Tabari)*. [Publisher], [Year].