Battle of the Yarmuk
636 CE · Yarmuk River valley (modern Syria–Jordan border) · World · Medieval
Using a dust storm and the terrain, the Arab cavalry split up the Byzantine coalition, and mutiny among the Armenian and other contingents caused it to collapse along the whole line.
Belligerents
Rashidun Caliphate
- Commanders
- Khalid ibn al-Walid
- Strength
- Arab army
Eastern Roman Empire
- Commanders
- Vahan
- Strength
- Byzantine coalition, reportedly tens of thousands
Background
Heraclius gathered a great army of many peoples from the eastern empire to drive out the Arabs in one blow; after facing each other for more than a month in the ravine-cut Yarmuk valley, the two sides fought a decisive battle.
Course of the battle
- StandoffThe two armies formed up across the Yarmuk valley in a prolonged standoff.
- Battle in the dust stormIn a dust storm, the Arab cavalry broke up the formation of the Byzantine coalition.
- CollapseUnits within the coalition mutinied and broke away, and the whole army was routed and fled into the ravines.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 636 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Yarmuk River valley (modern Syria-Jordan border) |
| Result | Using a dust storm and the terrain, the Arab cavalry split up the Byzantine coalition, and mutiny among the Armenian and other contingents caused it to collapse along the whole line. |
| Winner | Rashidun Caliphate |
| Casualties | The Byzantine coalition suffered heavy losses, and many of its generals were killed in battle. |
| Territorial change | Byzantium permanently lost Syria and Palestine. |
Impact
This opened the eastern Mediterranean coast to the tide of Arab conquest, and all of Syria passed to the caliphate.
See the world in 636 on the map →