Azarethes (Greek: Ἀζαρέθης), also recorded as Exarath (Ἑξαράθ) and Zuraq, was a SassanidPersian military commander during the Byzantine–Sassanid Wars. His Greek name is possibly a misunderstanding of the honorific title hazaraft.[1]
According to the account of Procopius (De bello Persico, I.18), Azarethes was placed in command of the Persian army in Mesopotamia after the Persian defeat in the Battle of Dara in 530. Procopius calls him an "exceptionally able warrior", and Zacharias of Mytilene records that he held the rank of astabadh. In 531, together with his Lakhmid allies, he led an invasion across the Euphrates into the Byzantine region of Commagene (more probably Chalybonitis).[2] When the Byzantine army under Belisarius approached, they withdrew east, halting at Callinicum. In the ensuing battle, the Byzantines suffered a heavy defeat, but Persian losses were also so high that the Persian king Kavadh I (r. 488–531) was displeased with him and relieved him of his command.
He only reappears in the sources once, in 544, when he accompanied Kavadh's successor, Khosrau I (r. 531–579), at the siege of Edessa (544). In the last stage of the siege, when the Persians under Khosrow I withdrew from their second general assault, Azarethes and his men were the only Persians who were still fighting and making progress at one of the city gates. They were repelled by regrouped Romans under Peranius.[3]
Referencesedit
^Greatrex, Geoffrey (1 January 1998). Rome and Persia at War, 502-532. Francis Cairns. ISBN9780905205939 – via Google Books.
^Rawlinson, George (1884). The Seven Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World. J. Stillman Smith. p. 77b.
Martindale, John Robert; Jones, Arnold Hugh Martin; Morris, J., eds. (1992). The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, Volume III: A.D. 527–641. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 160. ISBN978-0-521-20160-5.
December 20, 2023
azarethes, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, april, 2017, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, greek, Ἀ. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations April 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message Azarethes Greek Ἀzare8hs also recorded as Exarath Ἑ3ara8 and Zuraq was a Sassanid Persian military commander during the Byzantine Sassanid Wars His Greek name is possibly a misunderstanding of the honorific title hazaraft 1 AzarethesAllegianceSasanian EmpireService wbr branchSasanian armyRank Astabadh or hazaraftCommands heldPersian forces in MesopotamiaBattles warsIberian WarBattle of CallinicumKhosrow I s second Roman campaign Siege of Edessa 544 Biography editAccording to the account of Procopius De bello Persico I 18 Azarethes was placed in command of the Persian army in Mesopotamia after the Persian defeat in the Battle of Dara in 530 Procopius calls him an exceptionally able warrior and Zacharias of Mytilene records that he held the rank of astabadh In 531 together with his Lakhmid allies he led an invasion across the Euphrates into the Byzantine region of Commagene more probably Chalybonitis 2 When the Byzantine army under Belisarius approached they withdrew east halting at Callinicum In the ensuing battle the Byzantines suffered a heavy defeat but Persian losses were also so high that the Persian king Kavadh I r 488 531 was displeased with him and relieved him of his command He only reappears in the sources once in 544 when he accompanied Kavadh s successor Khosrau I r 531 579 at the siege of Edessa 544 In the last stage of the siege when the Persians under Khosrow I withdrew from their second general assault Azarethes and his men were the only Persians who were still fighting and making progress at one of the city gates They were repelled by regrouped Romans under Peranius 3 References edit Greatrex Geoffrey 1 January 1998 Rome and Persia at War 502 532 Francis Cairns ISBN 9780905205939 via Google Books Rawlinson George 1884 The Seven Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World J Stillman Smith p 77b Procopius De Bello Persico XXVII 36 43 Martindale John Robert Jones Arnold Hugh Martin Morris J eds 1992 The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire Volume III A D 527 641 Cambridge United Kingdom Cambridge University Press p 160 ISBN 978 0 521 20160 5 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Azarethes amp oldid 1088180303, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
