The Byzantine Emperor Tiberius tried to make a truce with Khosrow to buy time to resolve the problems in the army.

He set off toward Theodosiopolis, but the Byzantine forces, ahead of Khosrow's army, had already evacuated food and civilians.

The Byzantines' guerrilla warfare tactics were effective, and when Khosrow's efforts were thwarted, he began to move toward Melitene to retreat across the Euphrates.

By analyzing sources that discuss the size of the Sasanian army at the time of the capture of Dara, it is believed that Khosrow commanded a maximum of 40,000 horsemen.

[8] When both armies advanced to meet each other, the Persians unknowingly fell into the trap set by the Romans, who had concealed their second line as a reserve, making their formation deeper.

While the Roman forces were scattered, Khosrow attacked Justinian's northern camp, plundered it, and put it to flight.

But prepare yourself and we will do battle against one another in the open in order that both victory and defeat will clearly be known to the othersLined up near Melitene, both armies simply watched each other, despite the provocations from the Roman side.

However, the Romans had anticipated this move and, as the Sasanians began to retreat, they launched an attack, triggering a massacre in which many Persians were killed.