User:Kansas Bear/Gokturk raid of 616-617

The Hephthalites/Gokturk raids of c. 614-616, were incursions by the Hephthalites and Gokturks into the Sasanian Empire. The Sasanid army led by Smbat Bagratuni quickly defeated the Hephthalites who called the Gokturk Empire for assistance. The Gokturks responded with a large army that raided as far as Ray and the province of Isfahan. The raid was defeated with Smbat killing the Hephthalites leader in single combat.

Context
In 616 the Hephthalites raided eastern Persia with a large number of men, but were defeated in the first battle near the fort of Tus in Khorasan. Having lost this battle, the Kushans requested reinforcements from the Khagan. According to Sebeos, 300,000 troops from the Gokturk empire were sent to reinforce the invading army.

The Gokturk force quickly overran Khorasan, but could not breach the fort of Tus with its 300 defenders. A Sasanid army under prince Datoyean arrived to meet the Gokturk army but was defeated. The Gokturks then raided as far as Ray and Isfahan. Smbat quickly reorganized the eastern Persian forces and finally crushed the Gokturks and Hephthalites, reportedly killing their leader in hand-to-hand combat (mard o mard). The Gokturks and Hephthalites retreated to their camp.

Following these noteworthy triumphs, Smbat was summoned back to the Persian court, where he passed away in 616 or 617.