[CliffFletcher]

Battle of Carrhae. Crassus, richest man in Rome, resents fame of fellow triumvir Pompey, decides he needs big military victory to burnish his prestige. Chooses Parthia, most formidable foe in known world. Assembles seven legions without authority from the senate. Refuses offer from Armenian ally of more troops, provisions, and a secure route into Parthia. Crosses desert instead. At end of long march encounters enemy and orders immediate attack without pausing to draw water. Army surrounded by cavalry that rains arrows down on them relentlesly. Crassus goes to parlay. Gets head cut off. Army annihilated. Seven eagles captured. Roman prisoner who resembles Crassus dressed in women's clothes and paraded around Parthia.

Postscript: Julius Caesar is preparing invasion of Parthia to restore lost eagles when he's assassinated.