Battle of Ecbatana

The Battle of Ecbatana was fought in 129 BC between the Seleucids led by Antiochus VII Sidetes and the Parthians led by Phraates II, and marked the final attempt on the part of the Seleucids to regain their power in the east against the Parthians. After their defeat, the territory of the Seleucids was limited to the area of Syria.

Battle of Ecbatana
Part of Seleucid–Parthian Wars
Ecbatana Location of the Battle of Ecbatana
Date 129 BC Location Ecbatana Result Parthian victory[1][2] Territorial changes Parthians retake Media
Belligerents
Parthians	Seleucids and allies
Commanders and leaders
Phraates II	Antiochus VII Sidetes †
Strength
up to 10,000[citation needed]	Unknown[a]
Casualties and losses
up to 700	Mostly killed or captured

Battle

Phraates II (ca. 139/138 BC – ca. 128 BC) faced the final attempt on the part of the Seleucids to regain their power in the east. The Seleucids amassed a large force of Greek mercenaries and led the army, totaling 80,000 soldiers, to confront the Parthians, initiating a campaign in 130 BC to retake Mesopotamia. The Parthian general Indates was defeated along the Great Zab, followed by a local uprising where the Parthian governor of Babylonia was killed. Antiochus conquered Babylonia and occupied Susa, where he minted coins, and advanced his army into Media.^[3]

After losing three successive battles, Phraates sent a delegation to negotiate a peace agreement. Antiochus refused to accept unless the Arsacids relinquished all lands to him except Parthia proper, paid heavy tribute, and released his brother Demetrius II from captivity. Arsaces^[who?] released Demetrius and sent him to Syria, but refused the other demands.^[4]

Antiochus then dispersed his army into their winter quarters. By spring 129 BC, the Medes were in open revolt against Antiochus, whose army under Athenaeus of Macedonia had exhausted the resources of the countryside during winter.^[5] The cities revolted against their presence so Antiochus marched to support one such isolated garrison with only a small force (probably only his Royal Guards). Phraates exploited the situation and ambushed him, causing some of Antiochus's generals like Athenaeus of Macedonia to flee. Phraates inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Seleucid forces at the Battle of Ecbatana (modern Hamadan). During the battle, Antiochus VII was killed and his royal guard was annihilated.^[6][7] His body was sent back to Syria in a silver coffin; his son Seleucus was made a Parthian hostage^[8] and a daughter joined Phraates' harem.^[9]

After the Battle of Ecbatana, the rest of the Seleucid army which was based in Media was largely destroyed, and the remainder was captured and folded into Parthian ranks. This battle marked the decisive and final defeat for the Seleucid Empire by the Parthians and ended the Hellenistic period in Iran.^[10]

Protagonists

The Battle of Ecbatana was fought between the Seleucids led by Antiochus VII Sidetes and the Parthians led by Phraates II.

• 
  Drachm of Antiochos VII
• 
  Coin of Phraates II