Hunnic raid of 395

The Hunnic raid of 395 was an invasion by the Huns into Roman and Sasanian provinces.

Hunnic raid of 395
Date 395 AD Location near Ctesiphon, Sasanian Empire Result Sasanian victory
Belligerents
Hunnic Empire	Sasanian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Basiq Kursich	Bahram IV

Background

In 395 the Huns, led by commanders Basiq and Kursich, crossed the Don and turning southeast crossed the Caucasus. Initially, the Huns invaded the Roman regions of Sophene, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Syria, capturing and enslaving Roman subjects.^[1] The Huns then besieged the Roman fortress of Ziatha, burning it and killing and enslaving its inhabitants.^[1] The two contingents then proceeded into Persia proper.^[2][3]

Invasion

Basiq and Kursich led two detachments down the Euphrates, threatening the capital Ctesiphon. Upon hearing that the Sasanian army was marching against them, the Huns retreated.^[2] However, one group was overtaken, and some were killed.^[2] The Sasanians took nearly all of the booty, and freed 18,000 captives.^[2] The other group of Huns successfully retreated through the Derbent Pass.^[4][2]

Aftermath

Years later, the Sasanian Emperor Yazdegerd I returned the Roman prisoners taken by the Huns.^[5]