In 63 BCE, the Roman army led by Lucullus invaded Armenia and advanced towards the capital, Tigranocerta, located in the southern Armenian Highlands near present-day Diyarbakir. At that time, the Armenian King Tigran II the Great was in the southern part of the country. Upon receiving news of Lucullus’s invasion, Tigran II, with his 6,000-strong regiment, hurried to the capital. Simultaneously, he organized a plan of resistance and a decisive battle against the Romans.
When Tigran II, having hastily covered more than 1,000 kilometers, reached Tigranocerta, he found the city already besieged by the Romans. As the entire army had not yet been assembled, it was impossible to start the battle. However, Tigranocerta housed the king’s harem and part of his treasures. It was imperative to evacuate the harem and treasures at any cost. With the available small force, a bold plan was devised and executed.
The 6,000-strong Armenian military unit launched a surprise attack from outside, broke through the encirclement, entered the besieged city, took the harem and treasures, and while the Romans were trying to understand what was happening, the Armenians successfully returned. This action was a brilliantly executed plan. However, saving Tigranocerta was not possible. The Romans bribed the city’s defenders—Greek mercenaries—who secretly opened the gates of Tigranocerta at night.
The Battle of Aratsani (68 BCE, September): The Fall of the Capital
The fall of Tigranocerta did not break the spirit of the Armenian king. Tigran II the Great decided to continue the war against the Romans. While Lucullus, believing that the military actions were over, led his army to winter quarters in southern Armenia, in Korchayk/Korduk, Tigran the Great began preparing for future military actions.
He gathered new forces and reorganized the army. The Armenian army was divided into two parts—cavalry and infantry. The cavalry was led by Tigran the Great, and the infantry by Mithridates VI of Pontus. Learning of this, Lucullus realized that the Armenian king would not ask for a truce. It was necessary to defeat Tigran and force him into a treaty with harsh terms of peace.
In late spring of 68 BCE, Lucullus moved towards the ancient capital of Artashat. He wanted to force Tigran into a new battle, during which he would annihilate the Armenian army, advance towards Artashat, and then easily capture the capital. However, it became clear that the Armenian army was avoiding the main battle and slowly retreating into the country.
One of the interesting details of Tigran’s new strategy was that the Roman army was always between the Armenian cavalry and infantry, one of which could always strike the enemy. The Roman army was constantly subjected to bold, daring, and unexpected attacks, especially at night. These surprise attacks kept the Romans in constant fear, causing them significant losses. The Armenians could also disrupt the enemy’s supply lines with small skirmishes.
This tactic chosen by Tigran the Great proved effective. Exhausted and losing combat capability, Lucullus’s army, after three months of aimless wandering, reached the river crossing of Aratsani. Ahead was the mountain range of the Armenian Par, and a little further, the capital Artashat—”the Armenian Carthage” with its riches. The Romans attempted to cross the river, advance towards Artashat, and engage the Armenian army in a favorable location.
However, the Armenian cavalry, led by Tigran II, quickly reached the crossing and prevented the Romans from advancing. The battle became inevitable, and the sides clashed. Initially, the Armenian cavalry organized a feigned retreat, leading a significant part of the Roman army. After this “retreating” cavalry, led by Tigran II, turned around and began a counterattack.
The lightly armed Armenian horsemen inflicted heavy losses on the Romans with their poisonous and hook-shaped arrows. The Greek historiographer Dio Cassius writes: “Many Romans died from Armenian arrows, and many Romans were wounded. Their wounds were severe and difficult to treat because the Armenians used double-pointed arrows” (Dio Cassius, XXXVI, 3,4; History of the Armenian People, 1971, vol. I, p. 593). The Roman army suffered a heavy defeat.
In the Battle of Aratsani, Tigran II demonstrated himself as a brilliant strategist. This victory was of great significance. The supposedly invincible Roman army suffered a heavy defeat and resorted to a disgraceful retreat. Lucullus was forced to leave the borders of Armenia and withdraw. The Romans were also driven out of Northern Mesopotamia, Korchayk-Korduk, and Pontus. The first Roman campaign to the East ended unsuccessfully.
Other Notable Battles in Armenian History
- 481 CE: Near the village of Akori (at the foot of Mount Masis), sparapet Vahan Mamikonian, with a small force of 400 horsemen, unexpectedly attacked the pursuing 7,000-strong Persian army and defeated them. The victory was achieved thanks to skillful tactics. The Armenian commander divided his small detachment into hundreds, fought with the right, left, and central wings, and brought the battle to a victorious end. The Persians, unable to resist the Armenian attack, resorted to flight. The Armenians lost 100 warriors, while the Persians lost about 2,000 (Ghazar Parpetsi, History of Armenia and the Letter of Vahan Mamikonian, Tiflis, 1904).
- 482 CE: During the battle near the village of Nersehapat, in the province of Artaz, sparapet Vahan Mamikonian, with an army of about 30,000, defeated a large Persian army that had invaded Armenia. The Armenians had 12,000 killed, while the Persians lost 40,000.
- 703 CE: Near the village of Vardanakert, located on the banks of the Araks River, an Armenian cavalry of 2,000 horsemen led by Smbat Bagratuni defeated an 8,000-strong Arab punitive detachment that was pursuing Armenian princes and fighters heading to Byzantium, intending to capture them. Negotiations to stop the pursuit failed, and the Armenians unexpectedly attacked the enemy. The battle began, during which the Arabs, unable to withstand the power of the Armenian attack, resorted to flight. The escape route was across the frozen Araks River, and the ice could not bear the weight of the fleeing, breaking and making the Arab defeat more complete. Only 300 soldiers of the enemy survived, whose lives were spared at the request of Princess Shushan (Ghevond, History, Yerevan, 1982).
- Circa 920 CE: The commander of Ashot II (Ashot Yerkat-Ashot the Iron), Gevorg Marzpetuni, who was tasked with fortifying the country’s fortresses and walls, unexpectedly encountered the Arab army of Beshir (Bshir) on his way to the capital Dvin. Keeping his composure, Gevorg Marzpetuni engaged them, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. The Arabs panicked and fled. However, after some time, Beshir reorganized his army and, with larger forces, attacked the small Armenian army on Sevan Island, aiming to capture the Armenian king Ashot II Yerkat.
- 921 CE: On Sevan Island, the king of Armenia, Ashot II Bagratuni (Ashot Yerkat), was surrounded by Beshir’s army. The Armenian king made a defiant decision. He placed the archers of his small detachment, consisting of 70 warriors, in 11 boats and attacked the enemy. Before reaching the shore, the archers, without missing, struck and defeated the panicked Arabs from the unexpected attack. The enemy suffered heavy losses and fled (Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi, History of Armenia, Tiflis, 1912).
- 1041 CE: Under the walls of Ani in Tsaghkadzor, the Armenian army and the Ani residents (30,000 people), led by sparapet Vahram Pahlavuni, “struck like lightning and defeated the numerous 100,000-strong Byzantine army” (Mateos Urhaetsi, Chronicle, Vagharshapat, 1898, p. 85). Urhaetsi also writes that the Akhuryan River turned red with the enemy’s blood.
- 1727 CE: In the spring, during the defense of Halidzor, 300 Armenian warriors led by commander Mkhitar Sparapet and Ter-Avetis broke out of the besieged fortress and unexpectedly attacked the Turkish army. The panicked Turks, suffering heavy losses, fled. The enemy had 13,000 killed, while Armenian losses were minimal. There are many such examples in the millennia-long history of Armenia.
- The Battle of Sardarapat (May 22-26, 1918): About 9,000 Armenian soldiers led by Movses Silikyan defeated a 25,000-strong Turkish army. This battle ensured the possibility of restoring Armenian statehood. Let’s also remember that in the Artsakh War, Armenian soldiers, with smaller forces, again managed to defeat the larger Azerbaijani army.
Today’s valiant Armenian warriors possess the same admirable qualities as their ancestors—courage, honorable conduct in battle, and, when necessary, the ability to deliver punishment. These traits have been passed down through generations, ensuring that the spirit of resilience and bravery remains alive in the hearts of Armenian soldiers.
The history of Armenia is rich with examples of strategic brilliance and heroic deeds. From the ancient battles against the Romans to the more recent conflicts, Armenian warriors have consistently demonstrated their ability to overcome overwhelming odds. Their legacy serves as an inspiration to future generations, reminding them of the importance of courage, strategy, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.
As we reflect on these historical events, it becomes clear that the spirit of the Armenian people is unbreakable. Their resilience and bravery have been tested time and again, and each time, they have emerged stronger. The stories of their victories and sacrifices are a testament to their enduring strength and will continue to inspire and guide them in the years to come.
Artatsolum
Based on an excerpt from Angela Teryan’s book: “Ancient Historical Evidence of the Armenian Warrior”
