Realizing there was no end to the arrows, Crassus decided that they had no push forward.
Publius charged forward attacking the Parthians.
Surena retreated back, allowing Publius to charge after them.
The Parthians had mastered the art of turning in their saddles and shooting at targets behind them. This is called the Parthian shot.
But once Publius was far enough from the main Roman army, Surena surrounded them.
The Gallic cavalry fought like TOTAL BADASSES
Ripping the Parthian's Spears from their hands.
and diving underneath the Cataphracts to hit their unarmored bellies.
But the Gauls were simply not prepared for fighting in the desert. Their armor was too light, and their spears were too short. Publius' unit was completely decimated.
Publius having realized the battle was hopeless, retreated to a nearby hill.
where he opted to commit suicide instead of being captured.
500 of Publius' forces survived and surrendered to the Parthians.
The Parthians mounted Publius' head on a pike and rode it back to Crassus.
At night, the Parthians pulled back to rest. (the Romans were on foot, they weren't going to get anywhere fast)
At this point, I would like to remind you that the Parthians are the underdog in this story, and were Outnumbered 4 to 1
With Crassus a complete mess, the Legionnaire Officers basically mutinied.
Crassus didn't fight for his command.
The Romans decided to sneak away, and head for the town of Carrhae. The situation was so dire that the wounded were left behind.
The cries of the wounded alerted the Parthians.
During the escape, the soldiers who fell behind were also abandoned.
By morning only a few made it to Carrhae.
In the dark, groups of soldiers got separated and lost.