Siege of Theodosiopolis

The Siege of Theodosiopolis occurred in August 502, during the opening stages of the Anastasian War. The Sassanid ruler Kavadh I laid siege to the city of Theodosiopolis, a major Byzantine stronghold in western Armenia. The city was ungarrisoned by troops and its walls were weak. It surrendered after brief resistance, perhaps assisted by elements of the local population.

Siege of Theodosiopolis
Part of the Anastasian War
Date August 502 Location Theodosiopolis Result Sassanid victory
Belligerents
Sassanid Empire	Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Kavadh I	Constantine (POW)

The citizenry was spared by the Sasanians, but Constantine, the governor of the city, was taken as captive and was deported to Persia,"along with many others", according to some sources.[1]

After the successful siege Kavadh I besieged other Byzantine cities such as Martyropolis and Amida.

References

1. A. Shapur Shahbazi, Erich Kettenhofen, John R. Perry, “DEPORTATIONS,” Encyclopædia Iranica, VII/3, pp. 297-312, available online at http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/deportations (accessed on 30 December 2012).

• Greatrex, Geoffrey; Lieu, Samuel N. C. (2002). The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars (Part II, 363–630 AD). New York and London: Routledge (Taylor & Francis). pp. 62–63. ISBN 0-415-14687-9.