Second Perso-Turkic War

The Second Perso-Turkic War began in 619 with an invasion of Sassanid Persia by the Göktürks and Hephthalites under Tong Yabghu. The war ended with the defeat of the Turks and Hephthalites by the Sassanids under a Persian Satrap General.

Context
Having lost the first war against Persia during the First Perso-Turkic War, 30 years earlier, the invaders sought to change their fortunes while Persia was engaged fighting the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. They invaded eastern Persia with a large number of men, but were defeated in the first battle near the fort of Tus in Khorasan by a force of 2,000 Savaran (elite heavy cavalry). Having lost this battle, the Turks and Hephthalites requested reinforcements from the Khagan. Sebeos exaggerates that 300,000 troops were sent to reinforce the invading army.

This force soon overran Khorasan as well as the fort of Tus with its 300 defenders under prince Datoyan. However, the Turks withdrew after their raids, which went as far as Isfahan. Smbat quickly reorganized the eastern Persian forces and finally crushed the Turks and Hephthalites, reportedly killing their leader in hand-to-hand combat.

After the death of their leader, which shattered troop morale, the Turks and Hephthalites retreated in a disorderly manner. The Savaran pursued them, routed them and killed many.