All Battles 
Emperors 
Battle of Martyropolis |
year: 588summer 588 |
| A Byzantine victory against Persians who suffered heavy losses | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
|
enemy: Sassanid Persians
|
location: Modern Silvan in the Diyarbakir Province
|
accuracy:
●●●●●
|
|
battle type: Pitched Battle |
war: Byzantine-Persian Wars |
modern country:
Turkey |
| ▼ The Byzantines(emperor: Maurice (Mauricius)) | ▼ The Enemies | |
| Commander: | General Germanus | General Maruzas |
| Forces: | 4,000 -outnumbered | Unknown |
| Losses: | heavy, 3000 prisoners, only 1000 survived |
| Background story: |
| The Byzantine army of the East had been weakened by a mutiny in April 588, caused by unpopular cost-cutting measures and directed against the new commander, Priscus. Priscus was attacked and fled the army camp, and the mutineers chose the dux of Phoenice Libanensis, Germanus, as their temporary leader. Emperor Maurice then restored the former commander, Philippicus, to the post, but before he could arrive and take control, the Persians, taking advantage of the disorder, invaded Byzantine territory and attacked Constantina. |
The Battle: |
 The attack was blocked by the Persian general Maruzas and turned back. The Persians followed close behind, and a battle was fought near Martyropolis which resulted in a major Byzantine victory. Maruzas was killed, several of the Persian leaders were captured along with 3,000 other prisoners, and only a 1,000 men survived to reach refuge at Nisibis. |
Aftermath: |
| It was another episode in the on-going war of the period 572-591. The Byzantines secured much booty, including the Persian battle standards, and sent them along with Maruzas’ head to Maurice in Constantinople. The Persians returned next year and captured Martyropolis. |
|
|