PART ELEVEN: “…ON THIS FIELD ONE SHALL FALL--EITHER HE OR I…”
“…Having regrouped and reinforced at Hatra, the Roman army marched east again, now with allied forces from the kingdom of Armenia, where they hoped to link up with Vologases‘ army and attack Ctesiphon. Another, smaller force under the leadership of legate Cassius Dio headed south hoping to reconquer Babylon and subjugate newly-won Characene. Dio’s task was simplified when the tottering pro-Persian cabal, still weakened by the losses near Hatra, was overthrown in a popular revolt. The new Babylonian regime opened the gates once again to the Romans, and Cassius Dio returned to the city to the grateful cheers of the populace. Those members of the cabal still alive were crucified, and their possessions seized… Going on to Charax Spasinu[1], Dio faced sporadic, but weak resistance, most of which ended when he produced Abinergaos, who tearfully told his subject nobles that he had given his realm to the Romans. Having done this, the former monarch killed himself shortly afterwards, declaring that as he would have to live with the shame of his utter defeat for the rest of his days, he did not want those days to be many…[2]
“Macrinus’ force had begun the march to Ctesiphon when it was discovered that Ardashir’s army was on the move as well. The Persian King of Kings’ prestige had suffered greatly thanks to the Emperor’s triumphant retreat to Hatra, and he’d been alarmed at the news of Vologases’ rapprochement with Macrinus. It was clear that if he did not defeat the Romans now, then he would have no hopes of unseating the Arsacids. But by this time, his soldiers were terrified of Macrinus, viewed as the greatest general in the war. The only way they would face him was under Ardashir’s direct leadership--for like Macrinus, Ardashir could boast that he’d never been defeated on the field in this conflict. As he lead his forces for one last battle against the Roman Emperor, Ardashir knew that his future would be decided in the upcoming fight…
“The two armies met near the Tigris. Macrinus had reinforced his position and had forced the Persians to cross the river to get to him, exhausting them--Ardashir would have refused battle, except that this would likely mean that his entire army would dissolve away. He thus forded the river as far as he reasonably could from the Roman forces, hoping to minimize harassment and lessen his chances of an ambush… The battle began poorly for the Persians, whose bravest troops insisted on performing a charge to commence the battle. By now the Roman legions could handle such tactics with dismissive ease, and repulsed the charge with the loss of only a single soldier. Having allowed his troops to burn off their zeal, Ardashir then began his battle in earnest. While a far wilier tactician and abler general than the hapless Abinergaos, the Persian king was facing the Roman army at its full strength, with a complete arrangement of cavalry. Macrinus allowed the Persians to dissipate their forces in futile attacks, while heading off efforts by cataphracts to flank his troops with his light Numidian cavalry, then wiping out the weakened units with his Parthian auxiliary. So desperate became Ardashir’s plight that he actually sent a division of horse archers out unsupported in hopes that their greater speed would allow them to avoid the fate of their fellows[3]--they did, in a manner of speaking, being killed by Macrinus’ cataphracts outright…
“It is a testament to Ardashir’s skill as a general that he managed to stay on the offensive for three days in these circumstances. But eventually, the inevitable happened. Ardashir’s attacks grew fewer and fewer, while Macrinus’ own cavalry counter-charges kept getting closer and closer to the Persian line. The last one was followed by a general charge of the Roman army that routed the Persians, and sent them into a desperate retreat. Ardashir barely escaped back to Ctesiphon, defeated and humbled. The full extent of the defeat only became obvious when Ardashir discovered that his beloved wife Myrōd, and favorite son Shapur had among those captured by the Romans… [4] Even worse, Artabanus had taken advantage of his “ally’s” misfortune by marching on Susa. When Macrinus offered to come to terms, Ardashir had no choice but to agree to a meeting…
“Ardashir and Macrinus met at the gates of Ctesiphon, where the Emperor, in a notably magnanimous act, restored the Persian monarch’s family to him. The two monarchs were swiftly joined by a third--Vologases arrived having, as Marius Maximus notes, rather conspicuously missed the battle--Marius suggests that the Arsacid prince had intentionally hung back, hoping to reach an arrangement with whomever won--or possibly wiping out both if they were weakened enough. [5] Still, regardless of these theories, Vologases proved receptive to Macrinus’ suggestions for a peace settlement… In truth, by this time both Vologases and Ardashir were exhausted by their years of warfare. Vologases, having seen his cause rise and fall more times than he could count, was willing to take what he could get, while Ardashir had sadly accepted that his dream of supplanting the Arsacids and restoring the glory of the Achaemenids had slipped beyond his grasp. Being the acknowledged master of the south of Iran was, to his mind, something of a consolation… Henceforth, there would be not one King of Kings in the east but two, a Parthian and a Persian… [6]
“Both Eastern monarchs were perfectly willing to accept Macrinus’ claims to Babylonia and Charcene, the first by acclaim, the second by conquest, as both realized neither had the ability to contest them at this time. His demands for the recognition of an independent kingdom of Elymais met with some resistance from Ardashir, but ultimately the Persian knew he especially was in no position to argue. Their treaty signed, they set off for Susa, joined by the newly-crowned King Phraates. By the time the armies reached the field, Artabanus and most of his army had fled back to Ecbatana--the allies contented themselves with wiping out stragglers and looting his supply train. That finished, Ardashir settled once again in Susa, while Vologases and Macrinus returned to Ctesiphon to wait for the new campaign season… In camp, the emperor dispensed honors to his legates, tribunes and centurions for the year’s campaigning. Gordian the Younger received honors for various acts of valor, and then had them stripped for his endangering of the entire army by his rash actions. Kneeling before Macrinus, the young tribune of soldiers declared that he not only deserved this rebuke, but worse ‘and I swear that the whole of my life shall be spent paying your gracious mercy…’
“Artabanus spent the winter in a mounting panic. Having betrayed both his brother and Ardashir, he was without allies. His efforts at bringing in his cousins from Iberia, Albania, and Chorasmia met with little success. [7] The Caucasian Arsacid monarchs had no stomach to march for Artabanus, with Vache, King of Iberia declaring, ‘I will not fight for you, kinsman, because that would mean to defend you and to fight Macrinus, and he is one the gods love, and you are one the gods hate’. Chorasmia appeared more willing--but demanded funds--allegedly for bribing Vologases’ officers in the area--and promises of territorial concessions before they’d even consider sending forces. Ultimately, they sent nothing, as Vologases kept a close watch of the negotiations, and outbid his brother at every turn. Worse, the Eastern provinces, the source of his strength, who had stayed loyal to him even in his earlier defeats, were now deserting Artabanus for for his brother, partially due to his failures on the field, and partially due to his increasingly tarnished reputation. Only Asaak stayed faithful… Time was finally running out for the Parthian king…
“The next year, the armies of the allies descended on Ecbatana. While the allies each overpowered their enemy by this point, all had other concerns that kept their troops busy[8]--and indeed, the simple problem of logistics meant that they could not field too huge an army there. As Artabanus still possessed a formidable army himself, increased with his troops from Esfahan, he decided to meet them in battle. Whatever doubts he may have felt internally, the Parthian king remained outwardly convinced that ‘I am the son of heaven, and heaven shall deliver me’ as he put it. Indeed, going into the battle, his spirits were good. Asaak was sending reinforcements, and he felt very certain that the allies would split shortly. His troops did not share his optimism--and their spirits sank further when Artabanus fell from his horse while reviewing his forces, shattering his ankle.[9] His doctor suggested he quit the field, but Artabanus would not hear of it, declaring as it was bound that he could ride, even if he could not walk, and that would be all he needed to do this day. Historians debate to this day the effect of that shattered ankle. While Artabanus was almost certain to lose, he might have been able to make a more respectable showing if he had not been constantly distracted by pain--and he might have chosen to retreat back into the safety of Ecbatana at the end, instead of the dramatic course of action he chose…
“ ‘Bring me those traitors’ heads!’ Artabanus is said to have raved when he saw the standards of Iberia and Albania in the service of his brother. And so the battle began with the traditional Eastern charge between Parthian and Persian troops. With that out of the way, the Romans took the field, which they swiftly dominated. Macrinus, watching the battle from a nearby hill, gave what direction he could through the tribunes Valerian and Gordian the Younger, as his legates Lucius Alfenus Senecio, Tiberius Julius Pollienus Auspex, and Marius Maximus [10] handled the situation on the ground. Artabanus, meanwhile watched as his troops fell in droves, retreating ever further towards Ecbatana. It was then that his hoped for deliverers arrived--the reinforcements of Asaak appeared on the field. They quickly took their position--and charged Artabanus’ forces. Vologases’ agents had taken the ancient capital of Parthia. Despairing, Artabanus threw a hateful gaze towards the man he blamed for all of this, and gathered his bodyguard for one, last desperate assault. ‘The earth may open before me--the heavens send its thunders to slay me--the waters of the world come here to drown me--but I will slay that accursed Macrinus!’ he shouted, as he spurred his horse onto a gallop… [11]
“Artabanus’ bodyguards were cut down beside him as he rushed towards the Roman emperor--he continued heedless of the cost. Moving through the battlefield like a man possessed, Artabanus approached Macrinus, shouting for him to face the Parthian King of Kings and die. As his few remaining bodyguards scattered and distracted the Emperor’s, he fired several shots from his bow--the first (and possibly the second) missed utterly, while Gordian the Younger stepped between the monarchs, blocking two shots with his shield while being wounded in the face by the last. Macrinus began to head for his horse as Artabanus drew his sword, but seeing he had no time, the Roman emperor took up his spear. Artabanus charged forward, hoping to run Macrinus down, and Macrinus stabbed forward, taking the Parthian in the stomach. (Cassius Dio says Macrinus threw the spear, but he is the only source who says this, and was not an eye witness, so it is safe to say that he is confused.) Artabanus fell from his horse with a sickening crunch, wrenching his good leg and landing on his shattered ankle. Staring at his fatally wounded foe shrieking in agony, Macrinus drew his sword, and with one stroke, severed Artabanus’ head. [12] Macrinus saw that Gordian received proper treatment for his wound, and then sent the news to his allies--the great war of the East was finally over…
“Arriving in Ecbatana, the allies were startled to find, as they looted its palace, a small room that Artabanus had filled with images of Macrinus--statues smeared with blood and lying on their backs as if slain--pictures and coins placed in water and lye to disfigure and fade them. All were amazed at Macrinus’ lack of fear at such an ill sight, but he dismissed their wonder with a shrug. ‘Why should I fear? Like all wicked men, Artabanus believed he could command the gods. That I live and he is dead is proof that all his efforts were merely delusion and vanity.’
“…With Artabanus dead, the allied monarchs finalized their treaties, Ardashir returning swiftly to Susa, and then further on to Persepolis. With the situation in the East well under hand, Macrinus was free to leave the newly expanded Roman Mesopotamia in the hands of Cassius Dio, and head back to Europe, where the forces of the Barbarian Pretender Maximinus Thrax [13] were well on their way to collapse…”
------------------------
[1] Charax Spasinu was the capital of Characene. It was originally named 'Alexandria'--like a lot of other cities, but wound being known as Charax--which basically means 'fort' after some rebuilding--Hyspaosines after its first king, which semantic drift turned into Spasinu.
[2] A suspicious death, albeit one that really doesn't help the Romans much. Of their newly acquired territories, expect Characene to cause the most problems.
[3] The traditional use of eastern mounted archers in large battles involved them supporting--and being defended by--the cataphracts during their charges, mixed of course, with the infamous Parthian shot.
[4] Yes, this is that Shapur. And if you're wondering why he's even here--well, Persian kings used to take their wives and children with them on battles. This caused quite a few problems over the years--in fact IOTL, Shapur's son Narseh wound up having to make a rather humiliating peace with Galerius after the latter overran his camp and took his wives and children hostage.
[5] If it isn't abundantly clear by now, Vologases is kind of a coward. A smart coward, mind you--but still a coward.
[6] Further detail on this peace will come in a supplementary post. Suffice to say, neither Vologases or Ardashir finds it a perfect arrangement--but both of them are tired of fighting, and rather spooked.
[7] The Iberia and Albania mentioned here are Caucasian kingdoms allied with the Parthian kingdon, eached ruled by its own Arsacid dynasty. Chorasmia--or Khwarezm--was the latest of a series of states centered on the Amu Darya river delta.
[8] Obviously, everyone has areas of questionable loyalty to shore up, potential rebels to control, and Macrinus has whatever's happening in Rome to deal with...
[9] Or spraining it. Or perhaps doing nothing of the kind. Accounts of this battle ITTL are highly prone to... embellishment.
[10] Lucius Alfenus Senecio was the last governor of Roman Britain before the province was divided under Caracalla. ITTL, he's very much Macrinus' man right now. Tiberius Julius Pollienus Auspex was a governor of Britannia Superior, and possibly before that of Numidia. Again, ITTL he's one of Macrinus' New Men.
[11] Or at least, that's what the people writing it afterwards figured he said. Eastern monarchs seem to have been somewhat prone to this sort of 'go out with a blaze of glory' thinking at times, especially when there was nothing left for them to lose.
[12] Or stabbed him through the throat. Or did nothing as he was already dead. As I've noted, ITTL, this battle has had a lot of writers at it, trying to make a good tale better. (IOTL, by the way, Artabanus was supposedly killed in hand to hand with Ardashir.)
[13] IOTL, Maximinus Thrax was the Roman Emperor from 235-238, who I will detail in length in the next post. ITTL--his career has taken a similar, yet different, turn a bit earlier. (And for those wondering why I've used Maximinus--well, I needed someone crazy, and in the end, he just fit the bill perfectly.)
.
