THE BATTLE OF CARRHAE
Pompey and Caesar already had achieved military glory.
And Crassus was feeling particularly insecure.
I can be a war hero too!!!
I'm just as good as they are!
I just need a war...
With nearly 40,000 men, Crassus set off for a completely uncalled-for war with Parthia.
7 Legions (30,000 heavy infantry)
3,500 Infantry
3,000 Calvary
1,000 Gallic mercenaries
500 Archers
and Crassus' son Publius.
54 BCE: Crassus and his army landed in Parthia.
At first they were moderately Successful, subduing small towns as they went,
and defeating minor resistances along the way.
However, Crassus was more of a Businessman than a General. So when he made the decision to halt his army for the winter, something which is not typically a bad idea...
Except that he slacked off on preparing his troops for the coming Spring.
Meanwhile, Orodes, the King of Parthia, was panicking that Armenia would join forces with the Romans, and he would have to fight a two-front war.
This is bad.
So King Orodes sent a messenger to try and arrange peace with Crassus.
But Crassus was purely in search of glory and gold.
Crassus refused the offer and resumed his campaign, marching along the Euphrates River.
Then Abgar the second showed up.
Abgar told Crassus that the Parthian army was nearby and that they should march directly toward them for a swift victory.