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Battles of ancient Rome

Ancient Rome, a highly expansionistic empire, was involved in many wars. Led by brilliant generals, highly trained and superbly equipped Roman forces could win against an enemy army twice as strong in numbers. There were, of course, some defeats, like the battles of Cannae or Teutoburg Forest.The Roman armies have already confirmed their imperial status at the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, by massacring the Macedonian army at Cynoscephalae in Thessaly, in 197 BCE. Seven years later Roman legions defeated, at Magnesia in Asia Minor, armies of the Seleucid, considered the prime power of the Hellenic world. Thus the legions proved themselves the finest army in the region. The decline of legions’ power became apparent in the 3rd century of the Common Era. Eventually, the ‘Germanisation’ of the Roman army and consequential loss of fighting prowess resulted in the fall of both army and the Roman state.

Battle of Ad Decimum

(13 September 533 CE)

Battle of Ad Decimum was the first battle fought in the Roman campaign in Africa in 533-534. It was of great importance for the efforts to regain the African provinces. The Vandal Army was significantly depleted with negligible losses.

Belisarius on the mosaic

Battle of Tricamerum

(533 CE)

Battle of Tricamerum (533 CE) was another victory for Belisarius - the leader of Byzantium over the Vandal armies. With the loss of about 50 people, more than 800 were laid dead. Many prisoners and enormous loot were taken, and in fact the fate of the campaign was decided.

A mosaic showing Belisarius

Battle of Adrianople

(9 August 378 CE)

Battle of Adrianople (378 CE) was the clash between the Visigothic leader Fritigern and the Eastern Roman emperor Valens, who died during the battle.

Bas-relief on the sarcophagus showing the clash between Romans and Goths.  Dated to the 3rd century CE

Occupation of Anata

(363 CE)

In 363 CE the troops of Emperor Julian I captured Anata. The occupation of Anata was the first armed clash during the Persian campaign of great Julian.

Map showing Julian's army movements

Battle of Argentoratum

(357 CE)

Battle of Argentoratum (357 CE) was a clash between the Roman troops led by Emperor Julian the Apostate with the Gauls who invaded the territory of the Empire.

Roman soldier of the 4th century CE

Battle of Immae

(272 CE)

Battle of Immae (272 CE) was a clash between Roman troops and the army of Zenobia, queen of Palmyra. The Roman side won.

Zenobia's coin

Siege of Masada

(72/73 CE)

Siege of Masada (72/73 CE) performed by the Romans was one of the last points of resistance in the Jewish war. After the capture of the walls, a massacre appeared to the eyes of the Romans.

Masada fortress - photo

Siege of Jerusalem

(70 CE)

Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE) was a key clash of the Jewish war. After a long siege, the Romans captured the city. Titus Flavius ​​showed no mercy and allowed for the murders and plunder of the city.

Catapult, Edward Poynter

Battle of Watling Street

(61 CE)

Battle of Watling Street (61 CE) was the decisive clash of the Boudica uprising. The small Roman army smashed the overwhelming power of the Britons.

Watling Street marked in red

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