The military campaign initiated by the Roman general Marcus Crassus to north Mesopotamia was one of memorable events in the art of war. What happened in 53 B.C. on the south-west border of Armenia Major, at Carrhae – not far from the ancient Edessa – is known by Roman narrative sources. Nevertheless, what and how led to this result, ancient Roman sources – Plutarch (c.46 – 120 A.D.) and Dio Cassius (c.160 – 235 A.D.) – either ignore or refer vaguely. In fact, beginning and end of the military campaign are visible, while substantial details of its deployment were shaded. Sources try to justify that a small Parthian army of Surena defeated utterly almost 50 thousand Roman troops, which was practically impossible. On the other hand, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of the only – Roman written – sources to restore the real history of the battle. In some cases, this becomes possible due to the analysis of facts represented by the sources, in other, the principles of military art mapped on the historical and geographical basis, the grid of political developments. Though, strongly humiliated and scorned by Roman sources, the enemy of Rome – according to the records of the same sources – achieves a complete victory over the Roman army, one of the strongest armies of the ancient world.

Analysis of details and picture of the battle in general reveals that the army of Marcus Crassus was brought to a stop and defeated by the Armenian king of kings Artavazd(es) II (55 – 34 B.C.). Armenian general Silaces [Slaq] was the commander-in-chief of the allied forces – Armenians and Parthians – at Carrhae. In the article, the number of Armenian-Parthian military forces opposing the Roman army in Carrhaе is specified, as well as the number of Roman casualties is defined. Analysis of the strategies and tactics, three phases of the battle highlight suitable schemes.