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However, during the meeting between the Roman and the Parthian commanders one of the soldiers of Suren seized the reins of Crassus horse and this lead to a skirmish.<ref>Plutarch, xxiii</ref> In this Crassus and his son were killed, leaving the Romans leaderless and they were effectively cut off in enemy territory.<ref>Sampson, p. 119</ref> Surena then ordered his heavy cavalry the cataphracts (the forerunners of the medieval knight) to charge into the Roman lines. They were ineffective, but they caused panic among the legionnaires. The Romans began a disorganized retreat and they came under constant attack from the forces of Suren. Many Romans made it back safely to Syria, but it is estimated that some 20,000 legionnaires were killed and another 10,000 captured during the chaotic retreat. Those captured were paraded through the Parthian Capital and later made to work as slaves in Central Asia.<ref>Sicker, p. 151</ref>
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====Immediate aftermath====