Ctesiphon

In the game

In the Ctesiphon map, British and Indian troops attack across open desert towards the ruins of an ancient city, with the great brick arch of Taq Kasra standing over the battlefield. The developers name the arch and the nearby Vital Point redoubt and Gurkha Mound as objectives, as in the real Battle of Ctesiphon of November 1915.

The real place

Taq Kasra was the throne hall of the Sasanian kings at Ctesiphon, built around the 6th century, and its vault is among the largest ever built in unreinforced brick. In November 1915 General Townshend's 6th (Poona) Division attacked the Ottoman lines dug in around the ruins on its way to Baghdad. The battle cost both sides heavily and the British fell back to Kut.

Visiting

The arch is in Salman Pak, about 30 km south-east of central Baghdad, and is usually visited on a half-day trip from the city. Check your government's current travel advice for Iraq before planning a visit, and expect scaffolding: the arch has been under restoration in recent years.