The first battle was in the plain country of Adiabene, at the foot of the Zagros range.

Here the opposing armies were drawn out in the open field, each divided into a centre and two wings.

In the army of Chosroes the Romans were in the middle, on the right the Persians, and the Armenians on the left.

Narses, together with Chosroes, held the central position: Bahram was directly opposed to them.

When the conflict began the Romans charged with such fierceness that Bahram's centre at once gave way; he was obliged to retreat to the foot of the hills, and take up a position on their slope.