Posts: 587
Threads: 15
Joined: May 2011
Reputation:
0
Indeed-althought you can often read somewhere that Constantine turned to Christianity immediately after that battle fact is that is was much more complicated and longer process with Constantine only gradually accepting view that it was Christian God who helped him to victory.But it is quite possible at the time of battle itself he still identify his divine help(if there was any strange occurrence at all)rather to Sol Invictus-deity which likely merge into one with Christian God in his mind later.It was not a sudden twist from day to day.
In short:in reality two pagan armies fought each other at Milvian bridge.
Posts: 791
Threads: 23
Joined: May 2010
Reputation:
5
A much better example of a decisive battle between two Roman armies would have been in AD353 between Constantius II and Magnetius at Mursa. A total of perhaps as many as 200,000 Romans fought each other on that day, with probably half that number dead on the battlefield at the end of it. Gaul was overun by the 'barbarian' tribes north of the Rhine after the battle and was not reclaimed until 357 when Julian was assigned that task.
Adrian Coombs-Hoar
Posts: 587
Threads: 15
Joined: May 2011
Reputation:
0
Indeed.Also almost every historian from that era or from little later never missed to mention it at least a little and to state what a tragedy this extraordinarily
bloody battle was for Roman state-a clear sign that it was regarded as very significant clash in its own days.It is clear candidate on one of the Biggest and bloodiest battles Romans ever fought among themselves.
Posts: 4,861
Threads: 129
Joined: Nov 2011
Reputation:
33
Aren't the figures at Mursa Exaggerated? I find it hard to believe more than 100,000 men were at Chalons, let alone 200,000 being at Mursa. Even my estimates with a 2400 man Legion woiuld require the mobilization of the Gallic, Italic, and Ilyrian Field Armies.
Posts: 3,063
Threads: 218
Joined: Feb 2010
Reputation:
2
More a comment rather than a contribution, but do you really mean decisive, or are you referring to the significance of a battle? For example, Marathon cannot be thought decisive if the Persians were back for Plataea.
Moi Watson
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
Posts: 4,861
Threads: 129
Joined: Nov 2011
Reputation:
33
I'm really thinking more-so in terms of significance I guess. Platea would have been more significant though either way.
Posts: 1,216
Threads: 42
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
1
Gaugamela of course would be the most important battle for the Hellenic world and its cultural implications. It is the point where the Hellenic culture starts its domination in the East and the beginning of the whole Hellenistic Age that shaped our world. Without it, Hellenic culture would be a local paradox instead of a western cultural norm (to a great extent) adopted by the Romans.
Macedon
MODERATOR
Forum rules
George C. K.
῾Ηρακλῆος γὰρ ἀνικήτου γένος ἐστέ
Posts: 4,861
Threads: 129
Joined: Nov 2011
Reputation:
33
I listed Guagamela as I thought the exact same thing as you did. It was not the establishment of Alexander's Empire that made it great, but that it opened the East for Hellenization.
Posts: 4,861
Threads: 129
Joined: Nov 2011
Reputation:
33
Fascinating. I will have to read it, as if it "Left Gaul deluded of Troops" then that could certainly provide insight as to the size of the Gallic Army (my estimates currently put it at roughly 63000 + 3000 men transferred from Spain and 9900 transferred from Britain)
Posts: 4,861
Threads: 129
Joined: Nov 2011
Reputation:
33
It's probably the only battle of this era, other than Chalons, that exceeded 100,000 men.
Posts: 209
Threads: 11
Joined: Feb 2007
Reputation:
0
Alesia.
It basically made sure that Gaul became a Roman province.
(Mika S.)
"Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior." - Catullus -
"Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit."
"Audendo magnus tegitur timor." -Lucanus-