Kardarigan (6th century)
Encyclopedia
Kardarigan was a Sassanid Persian general of the late 6th century, who fought in the Byzantine–Persian War of 572–591. Since he is recorded as being old enough to have an adult nephew in 586, it is uncertain whether he is the same as the general of the same name
who fought in the later wars
of the early 7th century. His name is actually a honorific title and means "black hawk".
Kardarigan first appears as commander of the Persian forces in northern Mesopotamia
in late 582, when he opposed a Byzantine invasion of Arzanene under John Mystacon
and defeated him at a battle at the river Nymphius. In the campaign of 583, he laid siege to the fort of Aphumon, but abandoned the siege to help repel a Byzantine attack on the newly-constructed fort of Akbas. In autumn 584, as he was preparing an incursion into Byzantine territory, he was forced to turn east to counter a Byzantine invasion under Philippicus
. Philippicus withdrew before Kardarigan, abandoning his campaign. In 585, while Philippicus had fallen ill, Kardarigan went on the offensive, besieging the Byzantine base of Monocarton. The siege failed, and he then marched north to Martyropolis
, Philippicus' base; after sacking a monastery near the city however, he returned to Persian territory.
In summer 586, Kardarigan attacked the army of Philippicus at Solachon
, commanding the central division of the Persian army in person. The battle ended in a heavy defeat, and although Kardarigan himself escaped, the survivors of his army suffered greatly because of his decision to destroy his army's water supplies before the battle, in an attempt to harden his men's resolve. Nevertheless, while Philippicus proceeded to attack the fortress of Chlomaron, Kardarigan managed to assemble an improvised force, mostly composed of peasant levies. He then marched to Chlomaron and united his army with its defenders, forcing the Byzantine general to raise the siege. He is not heard of thereafter, until another (or possibly the same) general of that name appears in ca. 605, for whom see Kardarigan (7th century)
.
Kardarigan (7th century)
Kardarigan was a Sassanid Persian general of the late 6th century, who fought in the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628. He is usually distinguished from another Persian general of the same name who was active during the 580s. The name is actually a honorific title and means "black hawk".When the...
who fought in the later wars
Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628
The Byzantine–Sassanid War of 602–628 was the final and most devastating of the series of wars fought between the Roman Empire and the Sassanid Empire. The previous war had ended in 591 after Emperor Maurice had helped the Sassanian king Khosrau II regain his throne. In 602, Maurice was murdered...
of the early 7th century. His name is actually a honorific title and means "black hawk".
Kardarigan first appears as commander of the Persian forces in northern Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
in late 582, when he opposed a Byzantine invasion of Arzanene under John Mystacon
John Mystacon
John, surnamed Mystacon, "the mustachioed", , was a prominent East Roman general in the wars with Sassanid Persia during the reigns of Byzantine emperors Tiberius II and Maurice ....
and defeated him at a battle at the river Nymphius. In the campaign of 583, he laid siege to the fort of Aphumon, but abandoned the siege to help repel a Byzantine attack on the newly-constructed fort of Akbas. In autumn 584, as he was preparing an incursion into Byzantine territory, he was forced to turn east to counter a Byzantine invasion under Philippicus
Philippicus (general)
Philippicus or Philippikos was an East Roman general, comes excubitorum, and brother-in-law of Emperor Maurice. His successful career as a general spanned several decades, chiefly against the Persians.- Under Maurice :...
. Philippicus withdrew before Kardarigan, abandoning his campaign. In 585, while Philippicus had fallen ill, Kardarigan went on the offensive, besieging the Byzantine base of Monocarton. The siege failed, and he then marched north to Martyropolis
Martyropolis
Martyropolis was the former name of a city in Turkey, now known in Turkish as Silvan, in Aramaic as Meiafarakin .It is a Catholic titular see....
, Philippicus' base; after sacking a monastery near the city however, he returned to Persian territory.
In summer 586, Kardarigan attacked the army of Philippicus at Solachon
Battle of Solachon
The Battle of Solachon was fought in 586 CE in northern Mesopotamia between the East Roman forces, led by General Philippicus, the brother-in-law of Emperor Maurice The Battle of Solachon was fought in 586 CE in northern Mesopotamia between the East Roman (Byzantine) forces, led by General...
, commanding the central division of the Persian army in person. The battle ended in a heavy defeat, and although Kardarigan himself escaped, the survivors of his army suffered greatly because of his decision to destroy his army's water supplies before the battle, in an attempt to harden his men's resolve. Nevertheless, while Philippicus proceeded to attack the fortress of Chlomaron, Kardarigan managed to assemble an improvised force, mostly composed of peasant levies. He then marched to Chlomaron and united his army with its defenders, forcing the Byzantine general to raise the siege. He is not heard of thereafter, until another (or possibly the same) general of that name appears in ca. 605, for whom see Kardarigan (7th century)
Kardarigan (7th century)
Kardarigan was a Sassanid Persian general of the late 6th century, who fought in the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628. He is usually distinguished from another Persian general of the same name who was active during the 580s. The name is actually a honorific title and means "black hawk".When the...
.