Battle of Edessa

Shapur I of Sassanid Persia had penetrated several times deeply into Roman territory conquering and plundering Antiochia in Syria in 253. In order to retaliate, Emperor Valerian gathered an army, which included the Roman Praetorian Guard, and marched eastward.
In the beginning, the Roman army was victorious and Shapur I was driven out of Antioch. But then, unwisely, Emperor Valerian advanced northeast to Edessa where he met the Persian army.

With his incompetent commander Macrianus defeated, Valerian was surrounded and became the first Roman Emperor captured in battle. The outcome of the battle was an overwhelming Persian victory, with the entire 70,000-strong Roman force being slain or captured.
Ransom for the emperor was refused.
Shapur humiliated Valerian, using him as a human stepping-stool. Valerian's body was later skinned and stuffed with straw was preserved for ages in the most celebrated temple of Persia.

Romans	Sassanid Persians
Commander	Commander
Emperor Valerian	Shah Shapur I
Forces	Forces
70,000	40,000
Casualties	Casualties
The entire force	Minimal

The Battles of History