The Byzantine-Lazic Phalanx at the Battle of the Hippis River (550 CE)

Abstract

The Battle of the Hippis River represents a major event of the Lazic War (541-562 CE) and one of the key confrontations between the Byzantine and Sasanian Persian armies in the Caucasus region. In the aftermath of the battle, the Persians were forced to retreat from Lazica while the Byzantine and Lazic forces laid siege to the fortress of Petra. Byzantine historian Prokopios’ account of the battle offers interesting details and insights on infantry and cavalry tactics of this period and remains important for the study of military history of the Late Antiquity.