Battle of Carrhae: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Date	53 BCE
Location	Harran • Turkey
Participants	Parthia • Roman Republic
Context	ancient Rome

Photos

Map showing the Parthian Empire at its greatest extent in the 1st century BCE, shaded in green and covering much of present-day Iran, Iraq, and surrounding regions. Major ancient cities, trade routes, rivers, and neighboring territories such as Mesopotamia, Media, Persis, Sogdiana, and Armenia are labeled. The map also shows nearby bodies of water including the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea.

See All Images →

Key People

Roman denarius

Gaius Cassius Longinus

Roman quaestor

default image

Marcus Licinius Crassus

Roman statesman

default image

Surenas

Parthian general

D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.

A History of War

Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)

Pick Your Battles Quiz

Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)

World Wars