The Siege of Rizzardo

The Siege of Rizzardo, also known in Samarkand as the Battle of the Nrisben Peninsula, was a battle lasting several years in the city of Rizzardo and the surrounding area. Directus and Samarkand engaged in a number of both large and small scale battles between 2069 and 2070 for control of the city. Initially, Directus was victorious, repeatedly pushing back and defeating Samarkand's attacks. Directian forces in the region were far smaller however, and they were eventually overcome. In 2070 Directian forces left the region.

While a Samar victory, the battle was considered a major turning point in the war. Samarkand was unable to capture the region for two years and suffered heavy casualties in the attempt. Directian forces, on the other hand, suffered much lighter casualties and Directus was able to reclaim the city a mere two years later. Samarkand's armies suffered very heavy casualties during the battle and never afterwards were able to muster in comparable force.

While not strictly speaking a battle in the conventional sense as the protracted struggle for the region contained a multitude of smaller clashes, the Siege of Rizzardo is often considered the largest battle in history, with more than 25,200 men deployed.