Battle of Nicopolis ad Istrum

Battle of Nicopolis ad Istrum
Part of the Roman-Gothic Wars of 3rd century AD, the Roman-Germanic wars and the Crisis of the Third Century
Roman ruins at Nicopolis ad Istrum
Date Summer 250 Location Nicopolis ad Istrum, modern day Bulgaria Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Roman Empire	Goths
Commanders and leaders
Decius Herennius Etruscus	Cniva
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Roman claim: 30,000 killed

The Battle of Nicopolis ad Istrum was fought between the Roman army of Emperor Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus, and the Gothic army of King Cniva, in 250 CE. The Romans were victorious.

Prelude

In 250, the Goths, led by their king Cniva, attacked the Roman province of Moesia. Roman emperor Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus led their army to Moesia. The Goths were, at the same time, marching to attack the Roman city of Philippopolis. The Romans intercepted them near Nicopolis ad Istrum.

Battle

The Romans intercepted the Goths just before they could reach Nicopolis. Decius and Herennius launched a surprise attack on the Goths while they were marching. The Romans took the disorganized Goths by surprise, fighting hard and gaining the upper hand quickly. Caught off guard, the Goths could not respond to the attack, and so were defeated.

6th century Byzantine scholar Jordanes described Cniva's defeat:

"When the Emperor Decius drew near, Cniva, with his army still in good shape, at last withdrew to the Balkan Mountains, which were not far distant."

Aftermath

The Romans defeated the Goths, but not decisively. Cniva's army marched in good order to besiege Philippopolis. Decius moved through the Shipka Pass to intercept him but was ambushed and heavily defeated by Cniva near Beroe at the Battle of Beroe.^[1] Decius fled to Novae to link up with governor Trebonianus Gallus. Cniva mounted failed attacks on Philippopolis' walls and then negotiated a truce with the city's ambitious governor, Titus Julius Priscus. The Goths broke the truce, however, and sacked the city. In 251, Cniva defeated three Roman legions at the Battle of Abritus, and Decius and Herennius were both killed.

References