Battles on the Persian front: facts and a 5-question quiz

The fall of the Sasanian Empire in five places, from al-Hira to Nahavand. This is a map-tap quiz with 5 questions, each worth more points as the questions get harder.

Play the quiz: Battles on the Persian front

What this quiz covers

Era: early caliphate. Region: Iraq and Iran. The 5 questions are about the following, with a short fact for each. Read them first if you want a head start, or skip to the quiz and read afterwards.

Facts behind the questions (spoilers)

• Ctesiphon: Ctesiphon, on the Tigris near present-day Baghdad, was the winter capital of the Sasanian Empire.
• Al-Qadisiyyah: The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, led by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, opened the way into Mesopotamia.
• Nahavand: The Battle of Nahavand in the Zagros mountains is known to Arab historians as Fath al-Futuh.
• Al-Hira: Al-Hira was the capital of the Lakhmid Arab kingdom, a centre of Nestorian Christianity and Arabic poetry.
• Jalula: Following al-Qadisiyyah and the capture of Ctesiphon, the Sasanian army regrouped at Jalula.

Quick answers

What should I know about Ctesiphon? Ctesiphon, on the Tigris near present-day Baghdad, was the winter capital of the Sasanian Empire.

What should I know about Al-Qadisiyyah? The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, led by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, opened the way into Mesopotamia.

What should I know about Nahavand? The Battle of Nahavand in the Zagros mountains is known to Arab historians as Fath al-Futuh.

Ready to test yourself?

Play the Battles on the Persian front quiz now. Your score is based on how close your answers are, and you can share your result without spoiling the answers.

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