Birtha (Mesopotamia) Birtha (Mesopotamia) Birtha () was an ancient fortress on the river Tigris, which was said to have been built by Alexander the Great. It would seem, from the description of Ammianus, to have resembled a modern fortification, flanked by bastions, and with its approaches defended by out-works. Shapur II here closed his campaign in 360, and was compelled to retire with considerable loss. D'Anville and Edward Gibbon both identify Birtha as modern-day Tikrit, Iraq. The word "Birtha" in Syriac means a castle or fortress, and might be applied to many places. From the known position of Dura, it has been
Ichnae (Mesopotamia) Ichnae (Mesopotamia) Ichnae () was a small fortified town, or castle, in Mesopotamia, situated on the river Bilecha, which itself flowed into the Euphrates. It is said by Isidorus of Charax to have owed its origin to the Macedonians. There can be little doubt that it is the same place as is called Ἴχνιαι by Dio Cassius, and Γ̓́σχναι by Plutarch. According to the former writer, it was the place where Crassus overcame Talymenus; according to the latter, that to which the younger Crassus was persuaded to fly when wounded. Its exact position cannot be determined; but it is clear