Battle of Marj ar-Rum

Battle of Marj ar-Rum
Part of the Arab–Byzantine Wars and
the campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid
DateMarch 635[1]
Location
Marj ar-Rum (first battle)
Marj Dimashq (second battle)
33°30′49.71″N 36°16′35.5″E / 33.5138083°N 36.276528°E / 33.5138083; 36.276528
Result Rashidun victory
Belligerents
Rashidun Caliphate Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
Khalid ibn al-Walid		 Theodore the Patricius †
Shannash al-Rome †
Sheodore †
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Heavy

The Battle of Marj ar-Rum (Meadow of Rome[2]), also known as the Battle of Marj Dimashq (Meadow of Damascus[2]), was a conflict between the Rashidun caliphate and the Byzantine Empire. The battle occurred shortly after the Battle of Fahl when the Byzantines attempted to recapture Damascus. Heraclius, the Byzantine emperor, sent two separate forces in the effort, one army led by Theodore the Patricius and a second army led by Shannash al-Rome.[3][4] The Rashidun army led by Abu Ubaydah ibn al Jarrah and Khalid ibn al-Walid was ordered to assist Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan who was acting as the garrison commander of Damascus.

The battle consisted of two separate engagements, however, Muslim historians regard these conflicts as a single battle due to the fact that the fighting occurred concurrently and that Khalid participated in both engagements.[2][5]

The battle is considered as a decisive victory for the Rashidun army as all the Byzantine commanders were killed and the threat of losing Damascus ended.

  1. ^ Expansion of Islam and Military Campaigns - Battle Of Marj-ur-rum 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Tabari 1992, p. 174.
  3. ^ Tabari 1992, p. 174; Theodore, according to K.Y. Blankinship.
  4. ^ Akram 2006, p. 394; Theodorus according to A.I Akram.
  5. ^ Akram 2006, p. 359-417.