The Siege of Jerusalem (614) was part of the Roman-Persian Wars, conducted during Khosrau II early seventh-century push into Byzantine established territories. The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ In general allies are people groups or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose Zachary Zachariah St Zacharias and various other spellings of the name redirect here Shahrbaraz (or Shahrwaraz) (died June 9, 630) was a general with the rank of Eran Spahbod ( Commander of the Army of Iran) under Events By Place Europe The Palace of Diocletian is damaged by the Avars who sack nearby Salona. Khosrau II or Khosrow II ( Chosroes II or Xosrov II in classical sources sometimes called Following the Persian advances into Syria in the previous year, General Shahrbaraz's next target happened to be the famous Byzantine-controlled city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Providing direct access to the Mediterranean Sea, the city would provide a strategic location for the Persian Empire to begin constructing a naval fleet and its capture would undoubtedly weaken the Byzantine-Empire's overseas strength. After 21 days^[1] of relentless siege warfare, Jerusalem's walls yielded and and the conclusive Persian victory resulted in the territorial annexation of Jerusalem, and all of Palestine.

The Siege

Customary to military tradition, when the Persian force arrived outside Jerusalem, Shahrbaraz offered a peaceful transition of power should the city surrender without resistance. Military tradition is the specific set of practices associated with the military or soldiers in general ^[2] The Sassanid general's offer was however rebuffed, and he consequently prepared his troops for a blockade. Shahrbaraz, alongside fellow general Shahin, prepared for what would they believed would be a long and fierce siege, given Jerusalem's powerful fortifications. Shāhin son of Dulnak (Persian دولناک ( (died c 626 was a senior Sassanid general ( Spahbod) during the reign of Khosrau II Fortifications are Military Constructions and Buildings designed for defense in Warfare Humans have constructed defensive works for For twenty non-stop days, the Persians army continually blasted the walls of Jerusalem with ballistas and other military engines. The ballista ( Latin, from Greek βαλλίστρα - ballistra, from - βάλλω ballō, "to throw" plural ballistae A siege engine is a device that is designed to Break or circumvent City walls and other Fortifications in Siege warfare. ^[3] While the Byzantine city was composed primarily of civilians and priesthood, there is mention of a formidable Greek force, which was gathered by monk Abba Modestus to assist Jerusalem. A civilian under International humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her Country 's Armed forces. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. ^[4] However, once the Greek troops caught eye of the overwhelming Persian army encamped outside the city's walls, they fled, fearing a suicidal battle proceeding the siege. ^[5] After the twenty-first day of bombardment, the city's walls finally broke, and due notably to the Jewish allies' assistance to the Persian army, the interior was quickly overrun. A bombardment is an attack by Artillery fire directed against Fortifications, troops or towns and buildings The Jews, who had long been marginalized and oppressed in their Roman-controlled homeland, thus had more favorable views toward the Persian invaders. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Some 26,000 Jews betrayed the Byzantine Christian population and fought against them. ^[6] Once the Sassanid army had breached the city's fortifications, the Jewish rebels joined the Persians, and Shahrbaraz ordered a swift razing and looting of Jerusalem. ^[7] Having recognized the assistance of the Jews in the significant capture, he even gave them the opportunity to massacre personally their Christian enemies. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth

Aftermath

Shortly after the Persian army entered Jerusalem, unprecedented looting and sacrilege took place. Church after church was burned down alongside the innumerable Christian artifacts, which were stolen or damaged, by the ensuing arson. ^[8] But Persia's most devastating crime (as regarded by Heraclius and the Byzantine Empire) was stealing the True Cross and carrying it back to their capital as a battle-captured holy relic. The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which by a Christian tradition are believed to be from the actual cross upon which Jesus was crucified For the Spanish saint see Ctesiphon of Vergium. Ctesiphon (قطسيفون تیسفون was one of the great cities of the Persian Empire A relic is an object or a personal item of religious significance carefully preserved with an air of Veneration as a tangible memorial ^[9] The human toll of Jerusalem's razing was also catastrophic, some 90,000 Christian citizens are said to have perished^[10] in the sacking, as a result not only of the Persian army's actions, but also of the commissioned attacking opportunity given to the Jews by Shahrbaraz. Given that Khosrau II generally practiced religious tolerance and did deem Christians respectfully, it is not known why Shahrbaraz ordered such a massacre on the population. Religious toleration is the condition of accepting or permitting others' religious beliefs and practices which disagree with one's own One reason could simply have been Shahrbaraz's rage at the resistance that had been offered by Jerusalem's Christian populace. The conquered city and the Holy Cross would remain in Sassanid hands for some fifteen years until Heraclius recovered them in 629. Events By Place Persian and Byzantine Empires September - Jerusalem is reconquered by the Byzantine Empire from

References

Sources

• Antiochus Strategos, The Capture of Jerusalem by the Persians in 614 AD, F. C. CONYBEARE, English Historical Review 25 (1910) pp. 502-517. [1]