Siege of Autun

Coordinates: 46°57′N 4°18′E / 46.95°N 4.3°E / 46.95; 4.3

Siege of Autun
Part of the Roman-Alamanni conflict (Roman-Germanic wars)
Date356
LocationAutun, Gallia Lugdunensis, modern  France
Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Western Roman Empire Alamanni
Commanders and leaders
Julian the Apostate Unknown
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Siege of Autun was a conflict fought between the Roman Empire and the invading barbarian tribe of Alemans, who were ravaging Gaul, in A.D. 356. The Romans successfully defended the city, and the barbarians retreated on the approach of reinforcements.

Background

During the Roman civil war of A.D. 350-353 the emperor Constantius II., to increase the pressure on his rival, urged the Alemanic confederation to cross the Rhine and invade Magnentius' dominions in Gaul. The scheme was successful; the tribes under the conduct of Chnodomar and his allies invaded Gaul, defeating Caesar Decentius (Magnentius' brother) in the field, and besieging him in Sens.[1][2] At the conclusion of the civil war, however, the Alemani declined to yield their conquests to the emperor, though he had granted them a commission to attack exclusively the rebels.[3] Impressed with the necessity of dislodging them from the province, Constantius conferred the command in Gaul on Silvanus. After the latter's revolt in early A.D. 355, he elevated his cousin Julian to the title of Caesar with the government of the west on 6 November 355. On the first day of December, Julian was sent from Milan to assume his command. He passed the winter of 355-356 in Vienne, on the Rhone.[4]

Autun

In 356 AD, as soon as the campaign season had begun, Julian received a report that the city of Autun, the capital of the Aedui, was under siege by a numerous army of Alemani.[5] Though the town, which was of ancient importance, was furnished with a vast extent of walls, these were in a state of some disrepair, and in consequence the ordinary garrison of the city, despairing of defense, had abandoned their posts. Only the patriotic valor of a band of veterans residing in the city preserved the inhabitants from the ravages of the Alemans. Though he had no previous experience of arms or warfare,[6] Julian at once advanced to lift the siege, arriving on 24 June.[7] The barbarians retired on his approach.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Edward Gibbon, The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, (The Modern Library, 1932), chap. XVIII., p. 597
  2. ↑ Ammianus Marcellinus, The History, (Kindle Edition), XVI., 12, 5
  3. ↑ Gibbon, Ibid. chap. XIX., p. 622
  4. ↑ Ammianus, XV., 8, 1-21
  5. ↑ Ammianus, XVI., 2, 1
  6. ↑ Ammianus, XVI., 1, 5
  7. ↑ Ammianus, XVI., 2, 2
  8. ↑ Goldsworthy, Adrian. In the Name of Rome, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2003, p. 343
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