Battle of the Willows

Battle of the Willows
Date377
LocationAd Salices (exact unknown), in Moesia, Bulgaria
Result Draw
Belligerents
Roman Empire Goths
Commanders and leaders
Richomeres,
Profuturus,
Traianus		 Fritigern,
with Goths stationed at Hadrianople, defecting from Rome:
Sueridas,
Colias
Strength
unknown unknown
Casualties and losses
many many

The Battle of the Willows (377) took place at a place called ad Salices ("town by the willows"), or according to Ammianus,[1] a road way-station called Ad Salices ("by the Willows"); probably located within 15 kilometres of Marcianople (modern day Dobrudja, Bulgaria),[2] although its exact location is unknown. Forces from the Western Roman Empire under the command of Richomeres advanced westward, while forces of the eastern Roman Empire under Traianus and Profuturus advanced northward where they joined forces to attack the Goths who had recently rebelled under command of Fritigern.[3] and were laying waste to the northern Balkans. It was the first major conflict of the Gothic War and both sides were ready to prove their merit.

The only extant description comes from Ammianus who left few details; he gives a lengthy description of the dead and dying, but no information on the number of combatants. At one point the Roman left wing gave way, but it was re-enforced and held. The battle ended with nightfall. The result was a bloody draw with both sides taking many losses; the Goths remained encamped behind their war-wagon circle for over a week after the battle.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ammianus. p. 31.7.5. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Heather, Peter (2006). The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians. n.43: Oxford University Press. pp. 509–10.
  3. ↑ Hahn, Irene (2007). "The Day of the Barbarians: The Battle That Led to the Fall of the Roman Empire". Book review. http://romanhistorybooksandmore.freeservers.com. Retrieved 2008-04-19. External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ↑ Heather, Peter (2006). The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians. Oxford University Press. p. 174.

Coordinates: 43°13′00″N 27°35′00″E / 43.2167°N 27.5833°E / 43.2167; 27.5833

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