This Week: Battles that changed Ancient History

Posted by Robin Fowler Aug 6, 2006

August 9, 48 B.C. - The Battle of Pharsalus occurred on this date. In this decisive battle during a time of Roman civil war, Julius Caesar soundly defeated Pompey, causing his escape to Egypt, and securing Caesar's hold on the Roman Republic. Pompey was subsequently murdered on the orders of Pharaoh Ptolemy XII, brother of and co-ruler with Cleopatra.

August 9, 117 A.D. - Roman Emperor Trajan died on this date. Trajan (98 - 117 A.D.) was known as the second Emperor in the line of the "Five Good Emperors". Under Trajan's reign, the Roman Empire saw its expansion reach its pinnacle, north and west to Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria (Dacia), and east to Jordan and Saudia Arabia. Not only was he highly regarded for his military exploits, but he was also acclaimed for his long period of peace that followed. His forum, markets, and the iconic Trajan's Column remain standing in Rome today.

August 10, 612 B.C. - Sinsharishkun, the King of the Assyrian Empire, is murdered, and the legendary city of Nineveh is destroyed. He burned in his own palace when the Babylonians (S. Mesopotamia) and the Medes (Iran) attacked the city, thereby retaking the seat of the Empire back for Babylonia.

August 10 - The Roman festival of the Opalia was held on this date. It was in honor of Ops, a Roman deity of fertility, the wife of Saturn, and the mother of the Roman gods. During the celebration worshippers called on her by sitting on the ground, with their hands touching the earth, her realm.

August 11, 480 B.C. - The Battle of Thermopylae occurred on this date. The Persians, led by Xerxes, soundly defeated the Spartans, led by Leonidas. The Spartans had been backed by an alliance of Greek city-states, but were still outnumbered. Despite this, they managed to hold off the Persians for 7 days.

August 11, 480 B.C. - The Battle of Artemisium, another battle between the Persians and the Greek city-states, also occurred on this date. After hearing of the defeat at Thermopylae, the Greeks retreated to Salamis Island, where Athenian general Themistocles led the fleet to defeat Persia soundly in a battle there the following month. This defeat would set the stage for the golden age of Athens.

August 12, 490 B.C. - The Battle of Marathon occurred on this date. It was the first attempt by King Darius of Persia to capture the Greek city-states and add them to the Persian Empire. However, Athens defeated them, keeping Persia at bay for the time being.

August 12, 30 B.C. - Cleopatra VII Philopator died on this date. The legendary Queen of Egypt is historically though to have committed suicide following her and Marc Antony's defeat by Octavian at the Battle of Actium. More rescent research suggests that she was actually murdered by Octavian, who also had her son (and Caesar's heir) Caesarion murdered. This cleared the way for Octavian to become the first Emperor of Rome.