Battle of Adrianople

• 1. Background And Prelude

  ›

  In 376, the Goths led by Alavivus and Fritigern asked to settle in the Eastern Roman Empire after being displaced by Huns. Emperor Valens allowed them to establish themselves as allies known as foederati once they crossed the Danube river. Dishonesty from provincial commanders Lupicinus and Maximus caused the newcomers to revolt after suffering many hardships. Valens then asked Gratian, the western emperor, for reinforcements to fight the Goths. Gratian sent general Frigeridus with troops and Richomeres, leader of his guards. For two years preceding the battle there was a series of running battles with no clear victories for either side. In 378, Valens decided to take control himself and assembled additional troops from Syria and Gaul reserves. He left Antioch for Constantinople arriving on the 30th of May. Sebastianus arrived from Italy to reorganize Roman armies already in Thrace. Sebastianus picked 2,000 legionaries and marched towards Adrianople. Along the way they ambushed small detachments of Goths. Fritigern assembled forces at Nicopolis and Beroe to deal with the threat. Much of Gratian's army was in Pannonia where they were attacked across the Rhine by Lentienses. After defeating the Lentienses near Argentaria, Gratian's army traveled east partly by sea and overland. Upon learning of Sebastianus's success against Goths and Gratian's victory over Lentienses, Valens moved his army from Melantias to Adrianople. On the 6th of August reconnaissance informed Valens that approximately 10,000 Goths were advancing toward Adrianople from 25 kilometers north. Valens fortified his camp with ditches and ramparts. Richomeres carried a letter asking Valens to wait for reinforcements before engaging battle. Valens' officers also recommended waiting but he decided to fight without waiting. The Goths watched Romans closely and on the 8th of August Fritigern sent an emissary proposing peace and alliance. Valens rejected these proposals due to supposed numerical superiority. His estimates neglected part of Gothic cavalry that had gone extended distances to forage.

  123

• 2. Army Compositions

  ›

  Valens' army may have included troops from three Roman field armies: Army of Thrace based in eastern Balkans, 1st Army in Emperor's Presence, and 2nd Army in Emperor's Presence. Both armies in Emperor's Presence were normally based at Constantinople in peacetime but committed to Persian frontier in 376. They were sent west in 377, 378. The entire force consisted of seven legions including Legio I Maximiana and imperial auxiliaries of 700 to 1000 men each. Cavalry was composed of mounted archers known as sagittarii and Scholae imperial guard. Ammianus Marcellinus makes references to Legions of Lanciarii and Mattiarii listed as legiones palatinae. Some claim Mattiarii may have been allied forces while others suggest they refer to mace-armed infantry. A battalion of Batavians was apparently held in reserve and fled when comes named Victor attempted to bring them into battle. Scutarii shielded cavalry and archers operated under command of Bacurius the Iberian possibly as allied auxiliary troops from Caucasian Iberia. Ricomer Frankish Comes of Gratian's Domestici offered to act as hostage to facilitate negotiations when Equitus refused. Sebastianus arrived from Italy clearly operating as one of Valens' generals before being killed in battle. Victor master-general of cavalry was Sarmatian by birth who led officers counseling waiting for Gratian. Equitius a relation of Valens was tribune and high steward of palace who refused acting as hostage after escaping captivity in Dibaltum. Bacurius native and possibly prince of Iberia commanded archers and scutarii with Cassio that accompanied Ricimer as hostage. Traianus was described as illustrious man whose death in battle was great loss. Victor came tried to bring Batavian reserve battalion into action. Saturninus magister militum vacans referred to as able to stay alive by retreating. Potentius tribune of Promoti branch of cavalry son of Ursicinus former commander fell in flower of his age respected by all persons of virtue. Thirty five tribunes including those of units and staff were killed though presumably more survived.

  458

• 3. Battlefield Dynamics

  ›

  On morning of the 9th of August Valens decamped from Adrianople leaving imperial treasury and administration under guard. He arrived at Gothic camp around noon after marching eight miles over difficult terrain. Roman troops arrived tired and dehydrated facing Gothic camp set up on top of hill. Goths except for their cavalry defended wagon circle inside which families and possessions were located. Fritigern's objective was delay Romans giving time for Gothic cavalry to return. Fields were burnt by Goths to delay and harass Romans with smoke while negotiations began for exchange of hostages. Negotiations exasperated Roman soldiers who seemed hold stronger position but gained precious time for Fritigern. Some Roman units began battle without orders believing they would have easy victory perhaps over-eager to exact revenge after two years unchecked devastation throughout Balkans. Imperial scholae shield-archers under command of Iberian prince Bacurius attacked lacking support easily pushed back. Then Roman left wing reached circle of wagons but it was too late. At that moment Gothic cavalry returning from foraging expedition arrived to support infantry. Cavalry surrounded Roman troops already in disarray after failure first assault. Romans retreated to base of hill where unable maneuver encumbered by heavy armor and long shields. Casualties exhaustion psychological pressure led rout of Roman army. Cavalry continued attack killing continued until nightfall.

  467

• 4. Emperor Valens Death

  ›

  In rout Emperor himself abandoned by guards. Some tried retrieve him but majority cavalry fled. Valens' final fate unknown as he may died anonymously on field. His body never found. Alternative story circulated after battle claiming Valens escaped field with bodyguard and some eunuchs hiding in peasant's cottage. Enemy attempted pillage cottage apparently unaware Valens inside. Valens' men shot arrows from second floor defending cottage responding Goths set cottage fire. Bodyguard leaped out window telling Goths who was inside but too late. Valens perished in flames according to Ammianus Marcellinus Historiae book 31 chapter 13. The uncertainty surrounding his death created lasting historical mystery about the exact circumstances of imperial demise during catastrophic defeat.

  12712

• 5. Immediate Aftermath

  ›

  According historian Ammianus Marcellinus Goths immediately marched to city Adrianople attempting take it. Great number Roman soldiers not let into city fought besieging Goths below walls. Third Roman army succeeded retreating but losses uncountable. Many officers including general Sebastianus killed in worst Roman defeat since Battle of Edessa low point Crisis Third Century. Battle crushing blow for late Empire resulting destruction East Roman army core deaths valuable administrators destruction nearly all armories Danubian provinces following battle. Lack reserves army worsened recruitment crisis. Despite losses Battle Adrianople did not mark end Roman Empire because imperial military power only temporarily crippled. Defeat at Adrianople signified barbarians fighting Romans or against them had become powerful adversaries. Goths though partly tamed by Valens successor Theodosius I accepted once more as allied tribes never expelled exterminated assimilated remained distinct entity within frontiers few years allies later semi fully independent often hostile.

  91011

• 6. Military Legacy Debate

  ›

  Long-term implications Battle Adrianople art war disputed among modern scholars. Charles Oman wrote 1885 that battle represented turning point military history heavy cavalry triumphing over Roman infantry ushering age medieval knight. T. S. Burns disputed view 1973 book writing Gothic army's cavalry arm fairly small Valens would actually have more cavalry. While role Fritigern's cavalry critical victory battle mainly infantry versus infantry affair. Medieval knight rise several centuries after Adrianople according to recent scholarship. Some older works attribute Gothic victory overwhelming numbers Gothic cavalry sometimes use stirrups. More recent scholarly works mostly agree armies similarly sized Gothic infantry more decisive than cavalry neither Romans nor Goths used stirrups until 6th century probably brought Avars. Ammianus records Roman scouts estimated 10,000 Gothic troops dismissed underestimate due Alatheus and Saphrax forces away when scouts estimated numbers before battle. Several modern historians estimate strength Gothic armies at 12,000, 15,000 men. Charles Oman believing cavalry majority interpreted battle beginning dominance cavalry over infantry next thousand years. Other historians taken same view while others argue infantry vast majority Gothic force battle little effect relationship between infantry and cavalry.

  5812