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

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

Casualties and losses

Unknown

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. 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 marching to attack the Roman city of Philippopolis. The Romans were able to intercept them near Nicopolis ad Istrum.

Battle

The Romans intercepted the Goths just in time, 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. The Romans fought hard and gained the upper hand quickly. The Goths were caught off guard, and could not respond to the attack. The Romans defeated the Goths.

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 besieged Philippopolis, in the Battle of Philippopolis.^[1] Cniva negotiated a truce with the city's ambitious governor, Titus Julius Priscus. However, the Goths broke the truce, and sacked the city. In 251, the Roman army lost the Battle of Abritus, where Decius and Herennius were killed.

References

Footnotes

↑ Goths in the 3rd Century