The Battle of Opis in 539 BC was a resounding victory for the Persian Empire under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, opening the way for the complete collapse of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•25/06/2025
1. It took place in the lower Tigris River, near modern Baghdad (Iraq). The Battle of Opis is believed to have taken place in the vicinity of the ancient city of Opis, located near the confluence of the Tigris River and the Royal Canal – a strategic location controlling access to Babylon. Photo: YouTube. 2. A rare confrontation between Persia and Babylon. The Battle of Opis was the first and last major battle between the army of Cyrus the Great and the regular Babylonian forces under the command of King Nabonidus or his son Belshazzar. Photo: warhistory.org.
3. The Persian army won an overwhelming victory. According to ancient historical sources, the Persian army quickly defeated the Babylonians in a short but fierce battle, paving the way for an advance into the heart of the Babylonian empire. Photo: gutenberg.net.au. 4. The Persian army used flexible and superior tactics. Cyrus's forces were highly disciplined, well-organized, and had superior combat techniques, which helped them quickly break the Babylonian formation, which relied heavily on static defense. Photo: Stable Diffusion Online.
5. Shows Cyrus's smart conquest strategy. Not only using military force , Cyrus also used psychological warfare, taking advantage of discontent within Babylon to attract the population and local authorities to support or stay out of the war. Photo: modernagejournal.com. 6. Associated with riots and civilian massacres. Some records from ancient Babylonian texts indicate that there were riots at Opis and a massacre of civilians after the battle, suggesting that this was not just a military victory but also had profound social consequences. Photo: thehistorianshut.com.
7. It was a turning point that led to the fall of the capital Babylon. The defeat at Opis collapsed Babylon's last line of defense, leaving the capital isolated and unable to mount an effective resistance. Photo: Wikipedia. Dear readers, please watch more videos : Revealing lost civilizations through archaeological remains
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