List of wars involving Iran

Sumerian invasion of Elam (Circa 2400 BC)

Awan Elam Kish Akshak Umma

Sumer Lagash

Defeat

Eannatum manage to conquer parts of Elam (destroying Susa) and develop one of the first recorded empires.

Elamite-Sumer skirmishes. (Circa 2400 BC)

Awan Elam Marhasi

Sumer Lagash Kish

Stalemate

Elamite's success to expel Sumer's incursions from Iranian Plateau and sack some Sumer city states in Mesopotamia, but governors like Enentarzi expel them from its domains.

Akkadian conquest of Elam Sargon campaign Rimush campaign Manishtushu campaign (Circa 2300-2200 BC)

Elam Marhasi Gutian people Pashime

Akkadian Empire

Defeat

South-Western Iran is conquered by Sargon of Akkad, his son Rimush defeat the revolts led by Abalgamash, and Manishtushu expands forward Anshan and seizure control of Persian Gulf.

Narum-Sin campaign on Elam (Circa 2200 BC)

Elam Marhasi co-belligerant: Sumer rebels Gutian people

Akkadian Empire

Ceasefire

Accadian control of Khuzestan is reinforced, installing imperial governors to counter the power from native kings like Khita.

First Shar-Kali-Sharri campaign on Elam (Circa 2100 BC)

Elam

Akkadian Empire

Defeat

Status quo ante bellum

Kutik-Inshushinak campaign against Gutians (Circa 2100 BC)

Akkadian Empire Elam

Gutian people

Victory

Elamyte-Accadians expand territories on the Zagros Mountains.

Elamyte independence war against Akkadians (Circa 2090 BC)

Elam co-belligerant: Uruk

Akkadian Empire Eshnunna Akkad Akshak Gutian people

Victory

Acadian empire, after the death of Shar-Kali-Sharri, lost control of Elam. Elamyte king, Puzur-Inshushinak, conquered Anshan, manage to unite most of Elam into one kingdom, and also expands into parts of central Mesopotamia. End of Gutian rule in Mesopotamia

Sumerian border skirmishes on the north-east (Circa 2000 BC)

Simurrum Lullubi co-belligerant Elam

Neo-Sumerian Empire Ur

Inconclusive

Tribal invasions from Western Iran to Sumer are stopped.

Amorite conquest of Sumer (Circa 1900 BC)

Shimashki Elam Sumer Akkad

Amorites

Defeat

Ishbi-Erra expel the Elamytes from Ur, then gain the title of King of Sumer and expand over Sumer and Akkad.

Revolts against Assyrian domain (722–702 BC) part of Assyrian conquest of Aram and Urartu–Assyria War

Babylonia Aram (Ancient Syrian cities) Hamath Arpad Damascus Qarqar Philistia Ancient Levant cities Sumur Samaria Gath Ashdod Rafah Ekron Gibbethon Rebel Syro-Hittite states Tabal Quwê Carchemish Rebel Mannaea Medes Rebel Ellipi Supported by: Elam Northern Israel (until 720 BC) Ancient Egypt Urartu Phrygia

Neo-Assyrian Empire Samerina Vassalized Mannaea Vassalized Syro-Hittite states Cimmerians Kingdom of Judah

Stalemate

The Syrian rebel, Yahu-Bihdi, is flayed alive by Assyrians. Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) is fully conquered by Assyrians, starting the Assyrian captivity and the Ten Lost Tribes. The filistean rebel, Hanunu, is deposed and enslaved in Assur. Mitatti's uprising in Mannaea (an Iranian state) against King Iranzu (Assyrian vassal) was suppressed Iranzu's son, Aza, rise to the throne of Mannea, against his pro-Urartu brother, Ullusunu (then he's forced to be pro-Assyrians). Rusa I of Urartu is defeated and deposed by the Assyrians (but his kingdom maintained independent). Kurtî of Atunna is crowned by the Assyrians as a Buffer state against Urartu. Pisiri of Carchemish is deposed and its kingdom annexed. Assyrians conquers and established provinces on the Iranian Media. Assyrian re-stablish control on Ellipi to counter Elamyte sphere of influence. The Chaldean rebel, Marduk-apla-iddina II, is exiled to Iranian Elam after being defeated and deposed by Sargon II, who reestablish Assyrian control.

Assyrian conquest of Elam (655–639 BC) Battle of Susa part of Campaigns of Esarhaddon

Elam

Neo-Assyrian Empire

Defeat

Assyrian conquers the Elamyte Domains.

Assyrian invasions of Media (10th – late 7th centuries BC)

Medes

Assyrian Empire

Defeat

Kingdoms and city-states of western Iran became Assyrian vassals

Median invasion of Assyria (the late 7th century BC)

Medes Scythians Other Iranian peoples

Assyrian Empire

Victory

Invasion of the Assyrian Empire by a coalition of Iranian peoples, led by Kashtariti of Media End of Assyrian rule in Media Formation of an independent Median kingdom Median invasion of Assyria repelled

Medo-Babylonian invasion Assyria(626–609 BC) Battle of Nineveh (612 BC)

Median Kingdom Babylonia Persians

Assyrian Empire

Victory

Alliance between various people of the region against the Assyrian Empire, led by the Median Kingdom and Babylonia End of the Neo-Assyrian Empire Founding of Neo-Babylonian Empire

Scythian invasion of Media (624–597 BC)

Median Kingdom

Scythians

Victory

War between two groups of Iranian peoples Conquest of Media by Scythians End of Scythian rule in Media in 597 BC, during reign of Cyaxares

Siege of Harran(609 BC)

Medes Babylonia

Assyria Egypt

Victory

The Assyrian insurgency

Battle of Eclipse(585 BC)

Medes

Kingdom of Lydia

Undecided

The battle ended due to an eclipse.

Medo-Persian conflict (553–550 BCE) Fall of Ecbatana

Medes Empire

Persians

Defeat (Regime change)

Rise of Cyrus the Great.

Achaemenid Empire(550–330 BC)

Battle of Hyrba(552 BC)

Persians

Medes Empire

Victory

Persian Revolt(552–549 BC)

Persians

Median Empire

Victory

By conquering Media, Iran became an empire.

Battle of the Persian border(551 BC)

Persians

Medes Empire

Victory

Persian retreat to Pasargadae

Conquest of Lydia(547 BC) Battle of Pteria Battle of Thymbra Siege of Sardis (547 BC)

Persian Empire

Lydian Empire

Victory

Lydia annexed by Iran

Cyrus' first eastern campaign (545–540 BC)

Persian Empire

Gedrosia

Victory

Persian conquest of Bactria, Arachosia, Sogdia, Saka, Chorasmia, Margiana and other provinces in the east after initial defeat

Conquest of Babylonia(540–539 BC) Battle of Opis Fall of Babylon

Persian Empire

Neo-Babylonian Empire

Victory

Neo-Babylonian Empire annexed by Iran. End of Babylonian captivity, Ancient Hebrews gets to Return to Zion through Edict of Cyrus on 538 BC. Yehud Medinata is stablished under the rule of the High Priest of Israel.

Cyrus' second eastern Campaign (533 BC)

Persian Empire

Gedrosia

Victory

Cyrus the Great crossed the Hindu Kush mountains and collected tribute from the Indus vassalage cities.

Cyrus' final Campaign to the North (529 BC)

Persian Empire

Scythians Massagetae Dahae Indians

Defeat

The empress Tomyris kills Cyrus the Great in vengeance for the death of his son, Spargapises. The river Oxus, or Amu Darya, becames the limit between Persians and Scythians.

Conquest of Egypt(525 BC)

Persian Empire

Kingdom of Egypt

Victory

Egypt annexed by Iran

Persian incursions into Nubia (526 BC)

Persian Empire

Kingdom of Kush

Defeat

Cambyses II fails to expand Achaemenid domains into the south to reach the limits of former Egyptian Empire. Nubians maintains its independence and Persians establish frontier on Elephantine.

Conquest of India (Indus Valley) (518 – 323 BCE)

Persian Empire

Mahajanapadas Gandhara kingdom Sindhu Sauvira kingdom

Victory

Achaemenid military occupation of northwestern regions of India for about two centuries

European Scythian campaign(513 BC)

Persian Empire

Scythians in European Scythia

Victory

Achaemenid domination of the European Black Sea regions

Greek Revolt (499 BC–493 BC)

Persian Empire

Greeks

Victory

Persia re-establishes control over Greek regions in Asia Minor and Cyprus

Greco-Persian War (First) (492–490 BC)

Persian Empire

Greeks

Undecided

Persia conquers Macedonia and the Cycladic Islands, re-subjugates Thrace,but fails in an attempt to subjugate Athens and Sparta

Babylonian revolts (484 BC)

Persian Empire

Babylon Sippar Borsippa Kish Dilbat Other Babylonian cities

Victory

Persian punish the rebelled Babylonian cities, reducing the size of their Satrapies and fomenting minority religions.

Greco-Persian War (Second) (480–479 BC)

Persian Empire

Greeks

Defeat

Macedonia, Thrace and Ionia regain independence from Persia Achaemenid destruction of Athens

Peloponnesian War(431–404 BC)

Peloponnesian League (led by Sparta) Supported by: Achaemenid Empire

Delian League (led by Athens)

Victory

Dissolution of the Delian League; Spartan hegemony over Athens and its allies

Battle of Cunaxa(401 BC)

Persian Empire

Cyrus the Younger

Victory

Artaxerxes II still in full control of the kingdom

Corinthian War(395–387 BC)

AthensArgosCorinthThebes Persian EmpireOther allies

SpartaPeloponnesian League

Victory (Peace of Antalcidas dictated by Iran)

Ionia ceded back to Achaemenid Iran; Boeotian league dissolved; Union of Argos and Corinth dissolved.

Artaxerxes' II Cadusian Campaign(385 BC)

Persian Empire

Cadusii

Victory

Negotiated peace with rival chiefs

Revolt of the Satraps(372–362 BC)

Persian Empire

Rebel satrapies

Victory

Rebellions crushed

Second conquest of Egypt(c. 340 BC)

Persian Empire

Egypt

Victory

Egypt is conquered for a second time by Iran

Abdashtart I's Revolt (c. 340 BC)

Persian Empire

Kingdom of Sidon Phoenicians

Victory

Revolt supressed.

Macedonian invasion of Iran(355–328 BC)

Persian Empire

Macedonia

Defeat (Regime change)

Iran conquered by the army of Alexander the Great

Macedonian Empire (330–312 BC)

Indian campaign of Alexander the Great (327–325 BC)

Macedonia Hellenic League Persian Satraps

Ancient India Pauravas Aśvaka Mallians Guraeans

Victory

Hellenic conquest of great part of the Indus Valley. Iranic confrontation with the Nanda Empire of Magadha.

Seleucid Empire (312-129 BC)

Seleucid–Mauryan war (305–303 BCE)

Seleucid Empire

Maurya Empire

Defeat

Treaty of the Indus Seleucid Empire's eastern Persian satrapies ceded to Mauryan Empire. Seleucus gives the hand of his daughter to Chandragupta, founding a dynastic alliance.

Syrian Wars (217–145 BC) Battle of Raphia Battle of Panium Battle of the Oenoparus

Antigonid Macedonia Seleucid Empire Carmanians Medes Cadusii Persians Cardaces Upper Satrapies Dahae Arabs

Ptolemaic Egypt Libyans Gauls

Stalemate

Coele-Syria intermittently changes of sovereign.

Seleucus' Iranian Campaign (245–235 BC)

Seleucid Empire

Upper Satrapies Parthia-Hyrcania Bactria

Defeat

Arsacids' rise to power, stablishing Andragoras and Arsaces I the Parthian Kingdom and starting Seleucid–Parthian Wars. Greco-Bactrian Kingdom of Diodotus I is consolidated.

Roman–Seleucid War (192–188 BC)

Seleucid Empire Supported by: Aetolian League Galatians Athamania Cappadocia Elis Co-belligerent: Messene

Roman Republic Supported by: Achaean League Pergamon Rhodes Macedon Thessalian League Beotian League Acarnanian League Issa Kos Erythrai Athens Carthage Numidia

Defeat

Peace of Apamea

Campaigns of Artaxias I (189–165 BCE)

Seleucid Empire Atropatene Kingdom of Cataonia Kingdom of Pontus Lesser Armenia Kingdom of Iberia

Kingdom of Armenia Kingdom of Sophene

Defeat

The regions of Caspiana, Faunitida, Basolropeda, Tmorik, Karenitis, Derksen, Akilisene and Antitaurus are annexed to Armenia.

Parthian Empire(247 BC–224 AD)

Parni Conquest Parthia (238 BC)

Parthian Empire

Seleucid Empire

Victory

• Rise of the Parthian Empire • The beginning of the Seleucid–Parthian Wars

Seleucid–Parthian Wars(238 BC–129 BC)

Parthian Empire Parni

Seleucid Empire Persis Elymais Characene Scythians Arabs

Victory

• Expulsion of the Seleucids from Iran

Parthian–Bactrian War (150 BC)

Parthian Empire

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom

Victory

Western Bactria annexed to the Parthian Empire. Greek debilitation and arise of Kushan Empire in the zone

Second Parthian-Kushan War (between c. 130 CE to c. 140 CE)

Parthian Empire

Kushan Empire

Defeat

Kanishka I repels the invasion

Battle of Ecbatana (129 BC)

Parthian Empire

Seleucid Empire

Victory

End of Hellenistic rule in Iran

Parthian invasion of Armenia (120–100 BCE?)

Parthian Empire Atropatene

Kingdom of Armenia

Victory

Parthians add territories

Parthian expedition to Arabia (119 BC)

Parthian Empire

Ancient Arabs

Victory

End of Arab raids on Babylonia.

Mithridates II's war with the Seleucids. (112-109 BC)

Parthian Empire Characene

Seleucid Empire Elymais

Victory

Parthian conquers Mesopotamia and reduce Seleucids into Syria

Chinese–Parthian War (104–102 BC)

Parthian Empire

Han China

Stalemate

Emperor Wu of Han forced Mithridates II of Parthia to start commercial relations and the sell of Persian horse, but Parthians maintain its Sphere of influence on Fergana Valley.

Armenian–Parthian War(87–85 BC) Part of Military campaigns of Tigranes the Great

Parthian Empire

Kingdom of Armenia

Defeat

Osroene and Atrpatakan loyalty to Tigranes the Great

Battle of Carrahe (53 BC)

Parthian Empire

Roman Republic

Victory

• Repelling the danger of the Romans • Crassus killed • Roman desire to retaliate for Julius Caesar's planned invasion of the Parthian Empire

Liberators' civil war (43–42 BC) Battle of Philippi

Liberatores Supported by: Parthian Empire

Second Triumvirate Supported by: Ptolemaic Egypt

Defeat

The Second Triumvirate wins the Roman Civil War, then reinstates control over the eastern provinces.

Pompeian–Parthian invasion of 40 BC (40–38 BC) Battle of the Cilician Gates Battle of Amanus Pass Battle of Mount Gindarus

Parthian Empire

Roman Republic

Defeat

Status quo ante bellum Parthian conquests in Asia Minor and Levant are repelled

Antony's Parthian War (36–20 BC)

Parthian Empire Atropatene Hasmonean Kingdom

Roman Republic Kingdom of Armenia Galatia Cappadocia Pontus Herodian Kingdom of Judea

Victory

• Antony's was unsuccessful in campaign against Iran • Ended by formal peace in 20 BC

Gondophares conquest on the East (20–10 BC)

Indo-Parthian Kingdom

Indo-Scythians Indo-Greek Kingdom

Victory

Gondophares conquers Arachosia, Seistan, Sindh, Punjab, and the Kabul valley.

Pharasmanes I of Iberia invasion of Armenia (35 AD)

Parthian Empire Kingdom of Armenia

Kingdom of Iberia

Defeat

Orodes of Armenia is deposed

Kushan invasion of Indo-Parthia (50s AD)

Indo-Parthian Kingdom

Kushan Empire

Defeat

Kushans conquer Indo-Parthian territories in northern India.

Iberian–Armenian War (50–51 AD/51–53 AD)

Kingdom of Armenia Roman Empire (until 51) Kingdom of Armenia Parthian Empire

Kingdom of Iberia Kingdom of Iberia Roman Empire

Victory

The Roman–Parthian War of 58–63 start

Roman–Parthian Wars(66 AD–216)

Parthian EmpireKingdom of Armenia

Roman EmpirePontus

Status quo ante bellum

Borders changed several times.

Trajan's Parthian campaign (115–117)

Parthian Empire co-belligerant: Jewish/Judean zealots[citation needed] Babylonians rebels Armenian rebels

Roman Empire Client Parthian state

Stalemate

Rome gains Parthian territories on the East, but evacuates the Mesopotamia province and Roman Armenia due to revolts. Osroes I defeat Roman client Parthamaspates

Roman–Parthian War of 161–166 (161–166)

Parthian Empire Pro-Parthian Edessans

Roman Empire Pro-Roman Edessans

Defeat

Minor Roman territorial gains and Armenia consolidated as a Roman client

Battle of Ctesiphon (198)

Parthian Empire

Roman Empire

Defeat

Roman sacks Persian capital

Parthian War of Caracalla (216–217)

Parthian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Rome is forced to pay tribute to Parthia

Sassanid Empire(224–651)

Battle of Hormozdgan (224)

Sassanids

Parthian Empire

Victory (Regime change)

• Fall of the Parthian Empire • Rise of the Sasanian Empire

Sasanian conquest of Sakastan (225–226)

Sassanids

Indo-Parthian Kingdom

Victory

Consolidation of the Sasanian Empire on eastern Persia

Ardashir I invasion of Armenia (226–238) Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire

Kingdom of Armenia

Defeat

Sassanid withdrawal

First Mesopotamian campaign of Ardashir I (229–233) Sassanid campaign of Severus Alexander

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire Kingdom of Hatra

Inconclusive

Both sides get territorial gains.

Second Mesopotamian campaign of Ardashir I (237–240) Siege of Nisibis (237) Fall of Hatra

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire Kingdom of Hatra

Victory

The Sasanian Empire conquers several cities including Nisibis (237),Carrhae (238) and Hatra (240).

Shapur I campaign on the East (241–242) part of Sasanian–Kushan Wars

Sasanian Empire Indo-Sasanians

Western Kushan Empire Saka Gilaks

Victory

Persia annex territories as far as "Purushapura" (Peshawar) and the Hindu-Kush or even south of it. Those includying Sogdiana, Bactria, and Gandhara. Kushans are deposed and replaced by the Kushanshah

Sasanian campaign of Gordian III (242–244) Battle of Resaena Battle of Misiche

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire Germanic and Goth allies

Victory

The Sasanian Empire conquers Armenia and Mesopotamia

Siege of Nisibis (252)

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Persian capture of Nisibis

Battle Of Barbalissos (253)

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Shapur's army won against Valerian's army

Siege of Antioch (253)

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Persian capture of Antioch

Siege of Dura-Europos (256)

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Persian capture of Dura-Europos

Battle of Edessa (260) part of Crisis of the Third Century

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire Roman Syria Germanic and Goth allies

Victory

Roman Emperor Valerian was captured. Fulvius Macrianus his sons (Quietus and Macrianus Minor) as joint emperors in opposition to Valerian's son Gallienus. Odaenathus declares himself King of Palmyra and start the process for the independence of its Kingdom. Persian raids Cilicia and Cappadocia.

Siege of Antioch (260)

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Sasanian Empire conquers Antioch

Siege of Caesarea Cappadocia (260) part of Crisis of the Third Century

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Sasanian Empire conquers Caesarea Cappadocia

Odaenathus' Sasanian Campaign (261–266) Battle of Ctesiphon (263)

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire Palmyrene Kingdom

Defeat

The Sasanians lost all the territories they had gained in the Battle of Edessa

Sasanian revolts against Barham II (274–293)

Sasanian Empire

Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom Sakastan Khuzistan

Victory

Revolts suppressed

Carus' Sasanian Campaign (283)

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire

Victory

Withdrawal of the Roman forces

Narseh's insurrection (293)

Sasanian Empire Zoroastrians

Narseh's forces Manichaeists

Narseh's Victory

Bahram III is deposed, Kartir reforms are abolished, Zoroastrian theocracy ends and Sasanian empire is centralised.

Galerius' Sasanian campaigns (296–298) Battle of Carrhae (296) Battle of Voskha (298) Battle of Satala (298) Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire

Roman Empire Kingdom of Armenia

Defeat

Persian invasion of Mesopotamia and Armenia success. Then Roman expels Persians from Armenia, capture Narseh's wife, raid Ctesiphon and gains territory on the Peace of Nisibis (299).

Shapur ll's Arab Campaign (325)

Sasanian Empire

Arabs Iyad Taghlib Banu Bakr Banu Abdul Qays Banu Tamim Banu Hanzalah

Victory

The Sasanian Empire establishes suzerainty over all of the Persian Gulf and numerous factions in Arabia Wall of the Arabs was constructed to prevent raids by the Arabs

Perso-Roman wars of 337–361 (337–361) Battle of Narasara (337) Battle of Arest (337) Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire Xionites/Kidarites

Roman Empire

Indecisive

Status quo ante bellum

Wars of Shapur II with the Chionites and Kushans (350–358) part of Sasanian–Kushan Wars and Sasanian–Kidarite wars

Sasanian Empire Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom Gupta Empire

Xionites/Kidarites Kushan Empire

Victory

Expansion of Sasanian control to the south-east, beyond the Indus River. Nomad peoples, led by the chief Grumbates, are forced to serve as mercenaries in the Persian army against Romans.

Sasanian–Kidarite wars (350–466) Sasanian campaigns in Central Asia

Sasanian Empire Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom Alchon Huns Hepthalites

Kidarites

Victory

Expansion of Sasanian control to the north-east, re-occupying Bactria and going further to Transoxiana. Start of Gupta–Kidarite conflict, as Kidarites were pushed to North India

Shapur II's invasion of Armenia (350) Battle of Voshka Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire Caucasian Albania

Kingdom of Armenia Roman Empire

Defeat

Rise of Arshak II

Shapur II's Armenian campaign (359–361) Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire

Kingdom of Armenia Roman Empire

Victory

Death of Arshak II

Kidarites invasions of Bactria (360s)

Sasanian Empire Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom

Kidarites

Defeat

Kidara I conquers Bactria and get the title of Kushanshah

Julian's Persian expedition (363)

Sasanian Empire Arab allies

Roman Empire Kingdom of Armenia

Victory

Sasanian annexation of five regions & fifteen major fortresses from the Roman Empire in addition to the consequent annexation of Armenia

Armeno-Sassanid War of 363–371 Shapur II's 2nd Armenian campaign (367–371) Battle of Bagavan Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire Caucasian Albania

Roman Empire Kingdom of Armenia

Defeat

Persians depose Arshak II of Armenia. Then Armenia is under Roman suzerainty through Pap of Armenia entronization.

Shapur III's Armenian Campaign (378–386) Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire

Kingdom of Armenia Eastern Roman Empire

Victory

Peace of Acilisene Roman and Persian partition of Armenia Eastern Persarmenia of Khosrov IV of Armenia is given to the Sassanids Western Armenia of Arshak III is given to the Romans. Both empires agreed to protect the Caucasus from nomad invasions.

Hunnic invasion of the Sasanian Empire (395)

Sasanian Empire co-belligerant Roman Empire

Hunnic Empire

Victory

Huns quit

Roman–Sasanian War of 421–422 (421–422)

Sasanian Empire Lakhmid Arabs

Eastern Roman Empire

Inconclusive

Status quo ante bellum Zoroastrianism is tolerated by Romans and Christianism by Persians. Both empires agreed to fight against south nomads (Arabs).

Byzantine–Sasanian War of 440 (440)

Sasanian Empire

Eastern Roman Empire

Indecisive

Status quo ante bellum Both empires agreed to battle northern nomads (Scythians).

Vardan's War (449–451) Siege of Aang Castle Battle of Khaghkhagh Battle of Avarayr Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire Pro-Sasanian Armenians

Christian Armenians

Victory

Following Persian the victory, Yazdegerd jailed some Armenian priests and nobles and appointed a new governor for Armenia but, the Armenians gained religious freedom for their Christian faith.

Sassanian War of Succession (457–459)

Loyals to Hormizd III

Loyals to Peroz I

Peroz Victory

Peroz deposes his older brother

Kidarite-Sassanid War (464–466)

Sasanian Empire Alchon Huns

Kidarites

Victory

End of Kidarite menace to Persia in Bactria

Vahan's War (481–484) Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire Zoroastrians

Sasanian Armenia Armenian Christians co-belligerant: Hephthalite Empire

Defeat

Treaty of Nvarsak Religious freedoom for Christians in Armenia is seizured.

Hephthalite–Sasanian Wars (484–565) Hephthalite–Sasanian War of 484 Sukhra's Hephthalite campaign Battle of Gol-Zarriun (Part of Wars of Khosrow I)

Sasanian Empire Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom First Turkic Khaganate

Hephthalite Empire

Victory

The Hephthalite Empire breaks into minor kingdoms. Sasanians and Turks established a frontier for their zones of influence along the Oxus river

Byzantine–Sassanid Wars(502–628)

Sasanian Empire

Byzantine Empire

Status quo ante bellum

Borders changed several times.

Anastasian War (502–506)

Sasanian Empire

Byzantine Empire

Draw

Status quo ante bellum •Byzantium pays a small amount of money

Aksumite invasion of Himyar (518–525)

Himyarite Kingdom Jewish Himyarites Supported by: Sasanian Empire

Kingdom of Aksum South Arabian Christians Supported by: • Byzantine Empire

Defeat

Aksumite victory and conquest of Yemen End of persecution of Christians by Jewish Himyarites Byzantines success in establishing an anti-Sasanid bloc in Arabia Felix

Iberian War (526–532) Part of Wars of Khosrow I

Sasanian Empire Lakhmids Sabirs

Byzantine Empire Iberia Ghassanids Huns Heruli Aksumites Kinda

Inconclusive

Sasanians retained Iberia Byzantines retained Lazica Treaty of Eternal Peace Byzantines

Lazic War (541–562) Belisarius' invasion of Mesopotamia in 541 Mihr-Mihroe's campaign of 554 Part of Wars of Khosrow I

Sasanian Empire

Byzantine Empire Goths Ghassanids

Disputed

Fifty-Year Peace Treaty

Aksumite–Persian wars(570–578) Battle of Hadhramaut Siege of Sanaa (570) Sasanian reconquest of Yemen Part of Wars of Khosrow I

Sasanian Empire Himyarite Kingdom Supported by: Jewish Himyarites

Kingdom of Aksum Aksum Yemen Supported by: Byzantine Empire South Arabian Christians

Victory

Ethiopians expelled from the Himyarite Kingdom. (Yemen is annexed by the Sasanian Empire)

Armenian Revolt of 571–572 Part of Armeno–Sassanid Conflicts

Sasanian Empire

Mamikonian Armenian Christians

Defeat

Start of War for the Caucasus and end of Persian attempts to assimilate Armenians.

War for the Caucasus (572–591) Part of Wars of Khosrow I

Sasanian Empire Lakhmids

Byzantine Empire Ghassanids Mamikonians Huns

Defeat

• Khosrow II is restored to the Sasanian throne. • Khosrow II gives the Byzantine Empire most of Persian Armenia and western half of Iberia after the Sasanian civil war of 589–591 • Byzantium stops paying tribute to Sasanian empire

First Perso-Turkic War(588–589)

Sasanian Empire

Hephthalite EmpireGöktürks

Victory

The Sassanids captured Balkh.

Sasanian civil war of 589–591 Part of War for the Caucasus

Sasanian Empire

Supporters of Bahram Chobin Dissatisfied Sasanian nobles supported by: Byzantine Empire

Khosrow II Victory

Khosrow II faction's victory

Vistahm Rebellion (590–596)

Sasanian Empire

Parthians led by Vistahm

Victory

Revolt suppressed

Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628 Sasanian invasion of Armenia Sasanian conquest of Jerusalem Shahin's invasion of Asia Minor Sasanian conquest of Egypt Heraclius' Anatolian campaign Heraclius Caucasus campaign

Sasanian Empire Lakhmids Sasanian Iberia Asoristan Sasanian Egypt Avars (and Slavic allies)

Byzantine Empire Ghassanids Roman Egypt Western Turkic Khaganate

Defeat

The Sasanians agree to withdraw from all occupied territories and return the "True Cross". Iranian invasion of the Byzantine Empire repelled after initial successes in conquering the Levant, Egypt, and much of Anatolia. Beginning of the Sasanian civil war of 628–632

War of the Camel's Udder (604–611)

Sasanian Empire Lakhmid kingdom

Pre-Islamic Arabia Banu Bakr Banu Ijl Banu Yashkur Banu Dhuhl Banu Qays Banu Taym ibn Tha'labah Abd al-Qays Banu Tamim

Defeat

Sasanian rule briefly interrumpted until restored by Ruzbi, the frontier governor (marzban) of al-Hira.

Second Perso-Turkic War(614–616)

Sasanian Empire Persarmenia

Western Turkic KhaganateHephthalite Empire

Victory

Smbat IV Bagratuni successfully defend Sasanian Central Asia from the Turkic invasion.

Jewish revolt against Heraclius (614–617/625) Part of Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628

Jewish rebels Sasanian Empire

Byzantine Empire

Status quo ante bellum

Jewish surrender and expulsion after a brief rule by Persians and Jews over parts of the Byzantine Diocese of the East.

Sasanian incursions into Nubia (620s)

Sasanian Empire Sasanian Egypt Kingdom of Makuria

Kingdom of Nobatia Byzantine Empire Roman Egypt

Inconclusive

Persians are expelled by Byzantines, but Persian incursions destroy Christian Churchs and debilitate Nobatians, causing its decline and further conquest by simultaneous Makurian invasion.

Third Perso-Turkic War(627–629) Part of Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628

Sasanian Empire Principality of Iberia Supported by: Eastern Turkic Khaganate

Western Turkic KhaganateSupported by: • Byzantine Empire

Defeat

Byzantine control of Georgia

Sasanian civil war of 628–632 Part of Sasanian revolts and civil wars

The Parsig faction The Nimruzi faction

The Pahlav (Parthian) faction Shahrbaraz's army

Stalemate

Yazdegerd III is recognized as king of Iran. Weakening of the Sasanian Empire The governors of the provinces of Mazun and Yemen gain independence (disintegration of Sasanian rule in the Arabian peninsula).

Sasanids attempts to recuperate the Persian throne (657–679)

Tang China Protectorate General to Pacify the West Sassanids in exile

Rashidun Caliphate (until 661) Umayyad Caliphate (from 661) • Western Turkic Khaganate

Defeat

The Tang campaigns against the Western Turks (by Pei Xingjian) success and the Chinese established a "Persian military commandery" (波斯都督府) in the city of Zābol (疾陵城 Jilicheng) in Tokharistan, and Peroz was appointed as Military Commander (都督 Dudu). Then this government, with the capital at Zirang, fell in 673/674. After that, Narsieh went west with his troops to liberate Iranshahr in 679 and fought against the Arabs in Takharistan for almost thirty years. The failure and end of the persian restoration campaign attempt in Siege of Kamarja Narsieh's uncle, Bahram, died in 710, and Bahram's son, Khosrow, was mentioned fighting alongside Sogdians and Turks against the Arabs at the siege of Kamarja in 729 in a futile attempt to restore Sasanian rule.

Iranian Intermezzo (821–1090)

Arab–Khazar wars (642–799) Battle of Marj Ardabil

Caliphates Rashidun Caliphate (until 661) Umayyad Caliphate (from 661 to 750) Abbasid Caliphate (since 750)

Khazar KhaganateJewish people

Stalemate

South Caucasus falls under the control of the Caliphate. Northward Muslim expansion is stopped at Derbent. Jibal and Iranian Azerbaijan are sacked by Khazar raiders.

Persian revolts against the Rashidun Caliphate (650–661) Part of First Fitna and Muslim conquest of Persia

Persians

Rashidun Caliphate

Defeat

Arab control over Persia is consolidated. Start of Islamization of Iran

Kharijite Rebellions against Ali (657–661) Banu Najiyah revolt Part of First Fitna

Rashidun Caliphate

Kharijites

Victory

Alid control over Southern Persia and Bahrain restored. Assassination of Ali

Muslim conquest of Transoxiana (673–751) Battle of Talas

Abbasid Caliphate Tibetan Empire Karluk mercenaries

Principalities of Tokharistan Sogdian principalities Khwarazm Fergana Türgesh Kaghanate Second Turkic Khaganate Tang China

Victory

Islamization of Transoxiana End of Chinese dominance and influence in Transoxiana

Second Fitna (Muslim civil war of 680–692)

Zubayrid Caliphate Alids Kharijites

Umayyad Caliphate

Defeat

Kharijite faction, the Azariqa, captures Fars and Kirman from the Zubayrids. Ex-Zubayrid loyalists help Umayyad to secured Iraq, and consequently most of its dependencies in Persia. Then, Umayyad victory after Siege of Mecca. Qatari ibn al-Fuja'a's revolt persist until his death in 698/699.

Al-Harith ibn Surayj's Revolt (734–746) Battle of the Baggage Battle of Kharistan

Murji'ah Iranian converts (mawali) Khorasani Arabs Supported by: Türgesh Sogdian princes of Transoxiana

Umayyad Caliphate Supported by: Principality of Juzjan Principality of Chaghaniyan

Defeat

Revolt supressed

Revolts of Zayd ibn Ali (740)

Umayyad Caliphate

Alids

Victory

Abbasid missionary movement begin to make headway in Khurasan.

Third Fitna (744–750) Al-Dahhak ibn Qays al-Shaybani's revolt Juday al-Kirmani's revolt Abbasid Revolution

Abbasid Caliphate Supported by: Some Arabs Alids/Shia Muslims (mostly Persians) Mawali Kharijites

Umayyad Caliphate Supported by: Qays

Victory

Abbasid appropriation of most former Umayyad territory Eventual establishment of the Emirate of Córdoba End of privileged status for Arabs End of official discrimination against non-Arabs

Mount Lebanon revolts of 752 and 759 (752/759)

Abbasid Caliphate Tanukhids Lakhmids

Eastern Christians Mardaites Maronites Melkites Supported: Byzantine Empire

Victory

Christian inhabitants of parts of interior and coastal Lebanon expelled and replaced with Arab tribes

Sunpadh Rebellion (755)

Sunpadh Movement Supported by : Daylamites Dabuyids of Tabaristan

Abbasid Caliphate

Defeat

Zoroastrians and Persian Zindiqs/Heretics (worshipers of Abu Muslim) are repressed.

Alid revolt of 762–763 (762–763)

Abbasid Caliphate

Alids

Victory

Revolt supressed with the help of Iranian troops.

Tabaristan uprising (781–805)

Karenids Bavandids Baduspanids Zarmihrids

Abbasid Caliphate Supported: Barmakids

Defeat

Arabs conquered Tabaristan in 758-759. The Suppression of the uprising

Abbasid expeditions to East Africa (804, 827/837)

1st phase Abbasid Caliphate 2nd phase Persians wālīs of Zanj

1st phase Africans from Zanj Mogadishu Kilwa 2nd phase Abbasid Caliphate

Victory

The Kharaj is imposed on the Africans. Persian rebels against Mihna get a compromise.

Rafi ibn al-Layth's Revolt in Khurasan (806–809)

Abbasid Caliphate Governorate of Khorasan Abna al-dawla

Samarkand Iranians Khorasani Arabs Turkic peoples Oghuz Karluk

Victory

Revolters defeat Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan and Harun al-Rashid. Then surrenders to Harun's son in exchange of pardon

Zutt Rebellion (810–835)

Abbasid Caliphate

Zuṭṭ

Victory

Zutt colonization of Khuzestan after being expelled from Iraq.

Fourth Fitna (Abbasid civil war of 811–813/819)

Al-Ma'mun (supported mostly by Persian forces) Tahir ibn Husayn

Al-Amin (supported mostly by Arab forces) Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan

Victory

Defeat and death of al-Amin; al-Ma'mun is recognized as Caliph on 27 September 813. Tahir ibn Husayn rewarded as governor of Khorasan, which marked the beginning of the Tahirids.

Babak Khorramdin Revolt (816–837)

Abbasid Caliphate

Khurramite Zoroastrians Supported: Byzantine Empire

Victory

Capture and execution of Babak Khorramdin

Kharijite revolt of Bilal al-Dibabi (829)

Abbasid Caliphate

Kharijites

Victory

Revolt supressed by Ujayf ibn Anbasa in northern Persia .

Justanid-Abbasid clashes (876–879) Part of Anarchy at Samarra

Justanids Alids

Abbasid Caliphate

Stalemate

Justan III consolidates his throne.

Battle of al-Baida (874/875)

Saffarids

Kharijites

Victory

Ya'qub ibn al-Layth defeated the Kharijite leader Muhammad ibn Wasil

Battle of Dayr al-Aqul (876) Part of Anarchy at Samarra

Saffarids

Abbasid Caliphate

Defeat

Abbasid rule in Iraq is defended.

Samanid Civil War of 888

Nasr I forces

Ismail I forces

Defeat

Rise of Ismail I to the power.

Samanid conquest of northern Iran (900–901) Battle of Balkh Battle of Gorgan (900)

Samanid Empire Supported by: Abbasid Caliphate

Saffarids Zaydids

Victory

Samanids took over the province of Tabaristan, Ismail then appointed his cousin Abu'l-Abbas Abdullah as the governor of Tabaristan.

Battle of Baghdad (946)

Buyids

Hamdanids

Victory

Buyid Emirate is consolidated in Iraq.

Battle of Balkh (900)

Saffarid Amirate

Samanid Empire

Defeat

The Saffarids lose much territory to the Samanids in Khorasan, and were left with the control of Fars, Kerman and Sistan, but they also lost these provinces after a civil war.

Saffarid Campaign in the Fars province (900–904)

Saffarid Amirate

Abbasid Caliphate

Victory

Temporarily regained Fars, but the Saffarids withdrew soon afterwards.

Military expedition against Makran (907 or 908)

Saffarid Amirate

Ma'danids

Victory

Saffarids able to compel the Ma'danid to give three years of tribute.

Civil war between Tahir and the pretender Al-Layth (909–912)

Tahir ibn Muhammad ibn Amr

Al-Layth

Stalemate

Sebük-eri, who had managed to win over Tahir's commanders, won an easy victory and captured the brothers. They were sent to the Caliph and imprisoned in Baghdad, though they were treated well for the remainder of their lives.

Ghaznavid campaigns in East Persia (999–1004) Ghaznavid conquest of Sistan Ghaznavid campaign in Khorasan

Ghaznavid Empire

Saffarid Empire Samanid Empire

Victory

North-Eastern Persia annexed by the Afghan-centered Ghaznavid Sultanate (although still under suzerainty to the Abbasid Caliphs), and fall of both Samanids and Saffarids.

March of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni to India (1001–1027) Battle of Chach part of Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent

Ghaznavid Empire

Medieval India Hindu Shahis

Victory

The northern parts of India were annexed by Iran. Somnath temple was destroyed and its treasures looted.

Kara-Khanid invasion of Khorasan (1006–1008)

Ghaznavid Empire

Kara-Khanid Khanate

Victory

Ghaznavids expels the invaders.

Ghaznavid conquest of Khwarazm (1017)

Ghaznavid Empire

Ma'munids

Victory

Ghaznavids expands to Central Asia.

Ghaznavid campaigns in West Persia (1026–1030)

Abbasid Caliphate Ghaznavid Empire

Buyids Sallarids Ziyarids

Victory

Makran, Ray, Hamadan, Ishfahan, Tabaristan are conquered by Ghaznavids, who already controlled Sistan, Khorasan and parts of northern Persia. Abbasid supremacy over Persia is secured by Ghaznavids.

Ghaznavid–Kakuyid war (1029–1039) Battle of Rey (1038)

Ghaznavid Empire Annazids

Kakuyids Buyids

Inconclusive

Conflict suspended due to the death of Ala al-Dawla Muhammad and the Seljuk expansionism. Ghaznavid brief conquest of Kakuyid domains into Northwestern Iran Avicenna's library destroyed during the war

Battle of Dabusiyya (1032)

Ghaznavid Empire

Kara-Khanid Khanate

Stalemate

Indecisive.