The Middle East: 57–46 BCE

The Parthian Conflict and Roman Setbacks

The era from 57 to 46 BCE marks a critical period in Roman-Parthian relations, characterized by ambitious Roman expansion attempts and significant military setbacks. In 53 BCE, the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus, a member of the influential First Triumvirate alongside Julius Caesar and Pompey, leads a major invasion into Mesopotamia, aiming to extend Roman dominance into Parthian territories.

Crassus's campaign ends in disaster at the Battle of Carrhae, where he and his son Publius suffer devastating defeat and death at the hands of Parthian forces under General Surena. This catastrophic Roman loss is considered the worst since the famed Battle of Cannae during the Punic Wars, dramatically altering the political dynamics within Rome itself.

Crassus’s defeat directly contributes to the collapse of the First Triumvirate, exacerbating tensions that eventually ignite the civil wars between Julius Caesar and Pompey. Exploiting Roman vulnerability, the Parthians launch a series of raids into Syria the following year (52 BCE), capitalizing on the confusion and diminished Roman military presence.

In 51 BCE, the Parthians escalate their aggression with a major invasion of Syria, but this advance is effectively halted when Roman forces ambush and decisively defeat them near Antigonea. The Romans, rallying after the humiliation at Carrhae, manage to drive back the Parthians and temporarily secure the volatile frontier.

Thus, this era (57–46 BCE) encapsulates a pivotal moment of Roman vulnerability in the Near East, demonstrating both the limits of Roman power against the formidable Parthian Empire and setting the stage for prolonged future confrontations between these two great ancient powers.