Antony's Parthian War

Mark Antony's campaigns against Parthia
Part of the Roman–Parthian Wars
Date 40–33 BC Location Asia Minor, Syria, northern Mesopotamia, Media Atropatene Result Parthian victory, ended by formal peace in 20 BC
Belligerents
Roman Republic and vassals: Judea Galatia Cappadocia Pontus Armenia	Parthian Empire Atropatene
Commanders and leaders
Mark Antony Publius Ventidius Bassus	Orodes (40–38 BC) Phraates (38–33 BC) Pacorus Barzapharnes Quintus Labienus Artavasdes I
Strength
100,000 legionaries 10,000 cavalry 6,000–7,000 Armenians 23,000–24,000 auxiliaries (Atropatene campaign)	50,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
20,000–30,000 dead 4,000 cavalry (Atropatene campaign)	Unknown

Antony's Parthian War or the Roman–Parthian War of 40–33 BC was a major conflict between the Roman Republic, represented in the East by the triumvir Mark Antony, and the Parthians. Although the campaign ended in distastrous defeat for Antony, the war became a strategic draw when peace was later negotiated by Augustus.

Julius Caesar, after ensuring victory in his civil war, planned a campaign into the Parthian Empire in 44 BC. to avenge the earlier defeat of a Roman army led by Marcus Licinius Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae. Caesar's plan was, after a brief pacification of Dacia, to continue east into Parthian territory. After his assassination, the Second Triumvirate, composed of Marcus Antonius (Antony), Marcus Lepidus and Gaius Octavianus (later known as Augustus), was formed. After the defeat of Caesar's assassins at the Battle of Philippi, Caesarian rule over the Republic was effectively ensured. Shortly after, however, with the triumvirs preoccupied with the revolt of Sextus Pompeius in Sicily, Parthia attacked Roman-controlled Syria and the client kingdom of Judea. The Judean high priest and puppet Roman ruler, Hyrcanus II, was overthrown and sent as prisoner to Seleucia, and the pro-Parthian Hasmonean Antigonus was installed in his place. Antigonus was the only remaining son of former king Aristobulus II who the Romans deposed when they installed the weaker Hyrcanus II as high priest (but not king) in 63 BC. Upon capturing Hyrcanus II, Antigonus bit off his uncle's ears to disqualify him from ever again serving as high priest.

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