Battle of the Pelorus

The battle near the Pelorus river was fought in 65 BC between a Roman Republican army under the command of the Roman general Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (better known as Pompey the Great) and a Iberian army commanded by king Artoces of Iberia. The battle was fought near the Pelorus river in the centre of Iberia and ended in a stunning victory for the Roman army.

Prelude
After Pompey's defeat and subjegation of king Oroeses of the Albani, king Artoces king of the Iberians became afraid his kingdom would be invaded next. He adopted a more subtle strategy and turned to diplomacy promesing the Romans unconditional friendship. Pompey accepted the terms but he was alerted by his intelligence service that the Iberians were secretly planning an attack.

In the spring of 65 BC he marched his forces into Iberia and caught Artoces who was still preparing, off guard. Pompey's forces quickly captured a pass into Iberia by seizing the fortress of Harmozike. Artoces panicked and fled, Pompey pursued him into the centre of Iberia and finally caught up with him near the Pelorus river.

The battle
Artoces main strength lay in his archers, but, using tactics reminiscent of the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon, Pompey disabled them by means of a rapid infantry charge, which brought his legionaries to close quarters before the enemy fire could take effect. At close quarters the Roman legionaries were at a distinct advantage (legionaries exelled at close quarter fighting) and the battle was soon over. Greek historian Plutarch called this battle a great battle and noted that Iberian casualties consisted of approximately 9,000 people, while more than 10,000 were taken captive by the Romans.

Aftermath
Artoces himself escaped, the Roman pursuit party being hindered by the flooded Pelorus river. Eventually the king was forced to turn to diplomacy once more. He sent invaluable objects made of gold to Pompey and asked for a truce. Pompey demanded Artoces's children as hostages and, as the king was taking too much time to think it over, led his army further into Iberia and left Artoces no choice. He submitted, gave his children as hostages and signed a peace treaty with the Romans. The Kingdom of Iberia was to be a friend and ally of the Roman Republic and Pompey marched north-west towards Colchis and further glory.

Modern sources

 * John Leach, Pompey the Great, 1978.

Ancient sources

 * Plutarch, Life of Pompey, 35.
 * Appian, Bella Mithridatica 103, 117.
 * Eutropius 6.14 Artaces.