Hephthalite–Göktürk raids of 614–616

The Hephthalite–Gokturk raids of 614–616 were incursions by the Hephthalites and Gokturks into the Sasanian Empire. The Sasanian army led by Smbat Bagratuni quickly defeated the Hephthalites raid who, in response, called the Gokturk Empire for assistance. The Gokturks responded with a large army that raided as far as Ray and the province of Isfahan. The raid was defeated with Smbat killing the Hephthalites leader in single combat.

In 614 the Hephthalites raided eastern Persia with a large number of men, but were defeated in the first battle near the fort of Tus in Khorasan.^[a][2] Having lost this battle, the Hephthalites requested reinforcements from the Khagan. According to Sebeos, 300,000 troops from the Gokturk empire were sent to reinforce the Hephthalites.^[2]

The Gokturk forces quickly overran Khorasan, but could not breach the fort of Tus with its 300 defenders.^[2] A Sasanian army under prince Datoyean arrived to meet the Gokturk army but was defeated.^[2] The Gokturks and Hepththalites, then raided as far as Ray and Isfahan.^[3] The Khagan gave the order for the Gokturks to retreat, leaving the Hepththalites on their own.^[3] Smbat quickly reorganized the eastern Persian forces and finally crushed the Hephthalites, reportedly killing their leader in hand-to-hand combat (mard o mard).^[4]

Following these noteworthy triumphs, Smbat was summoned back to the Persian court, where he died in 616 or 617.^[4]