08-09-2010, 12:24 AM
August 9, 378 AD: The Battle of Adrianople. The Visigoths defeat almost the entire East Roman army led by the emperor Valens north of Hadrianopolis.
The Goths, comprised largely of Greuthungi and Tervingi plus some allies, had been admitted into the empire 2 years earlier, but had been rather badly treated by the Romans. When they finally rebelled, the Romans soon had a full-scale war on their hands. After a few minor victories and some smarting defeats, the eastern emperor Valens mustered his army early in the year. In the meantime, his western collegue Gratian sent reinforcements to counter the threat of the marauding Goths. Fritigirn, learning of the Roman army marching Wet, also collected his forces and marched on Adrianople. Eageer to emulate other Roman vicories, Valens did not wish to wait for the reinforcements and attacked the Goths despite attempts of the latter to stall him with peace proposals.
After a hasty Roman attack, the Gothic counterattack surprised the Roman cavalry, which was defeated and dispersed. Unable to guard the flanks, the Roman infantry was then either hemmed in and slowly defeated, or began a ccorstly withdrawal which ended in a rout. By the end of the day, between half and two-thirds of the Roman army was lost. Valens was killed either on the field or later in a farm.
August 9, 681 AD: Bulgaria is founded as a Khanate on the south bank of the Danube, after defeating the Byzantine armies of Emperor Constantine IV south of the Danube delta.
The Goths, comprised largely of Greuthungi and Tervingi plus some allies, had been admitted into the empire 2 years earlier, but had been rather badly treated by the Romans. When they finally rebelled, the Romans soon had a full-scale war on their hands. After a few minor victories and some smarting defeats, the eastern emperor Valens mustered his army early in the year. In the meantime, his western collegue Gratian sent reinforcements to counter the threat of the marauding Goths. Fritigirn, learning of the Roman army marching Wet, also collected his forces and marched on Adrianople. Eageer to emulate other Roman vicories, Valens did not wish to wait for the reinforcements and attacked the Goths despite attempts of the latter to stall him with peace proposals.
After a hasty Roman attack, the Gothic counterattack surprised the Roman cavalry, which was defeated and dispersed. Unable to guard the flanks, the Roman infantry was then either hemmed in and slowly defeated, or began a ccorstly withdrawal which ended in a rout. By the end of the day, between half and two-thirds of the Roman army was lost. Valens was killed either on the field or later in a farm.
August 9, 681 AD: Bulgaria is founded as a Khanate on the south bank of the Danube, after defeating the Byzantine armies of Emperor Constantine IV south of the Danube delta.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
