Ancient Battles Flashcards
1
Q
Megiddo: When?
A
1457 BC - Egyptian/Canaanite Wars
2
Q
Megiddo: Who?
A
Pharao Thutmose III (Egypt) & Durusha, King of Kadesh (Canaan)
3
Q
Megiddo: Where?
A
Near the ancient city of Megiddo, Canaan; now in Israel
4
Q
Megiddo: Why?
A
The Canaanites had rebelled against their Egyptian overlords
5
Q
Megiddo: Outcome?
A
Egyptian Victory: After being defeated in the field, the Canaanite rebels fled into the city and were besieged.
6
Q
Kadesh: When?
A
1258 BC - Second Syrian Campaign of Ramses II
7
Q
Kadesh: Who?
A
Pharaoh Ramses II (Egypt) & King Muwatallis (Hittite Empire)
8
Q
Kadesh: What?
A
Egyptian chariots and light-armed infantry played a sanguinary game of hide-and-seek around the walls of a fortified city until finally an all-out clash resulted.
9
Q
Megiddo: What?
A
The Egyptians took a risky and unexpected route to the battle field and achieved surprise.
10
Q
Kadesh: Where?
A
The rich, powerful, and fortified outpost city of Kadesh.
11
Q
Kadesh: Why?
A
Kadesh was a Hittite obstacle to Ramses’ efforts to make Egypt’s claims of world supremacy more than empty boasting.
12
Q
Kadesh: Outcome?
A
Draw: Hittite cunning and technology were almost too much for Egyptian numbers and organization.
13
Q
Ramses v Sea Peoples: Who?
A
The army and navy of Pharaoh Ramses III against the confederation of Sea Peoples.
14
Q
Ramses v Sea Peoples: What?
A
Ramses trapped the Sea People’s ships in the slow waters of the Nile, while out-mobilizing them on land, where their armies were slowed by travelling in company with their families
15
Q
Ramses v Sea Peoples: Where?
A
Nile delta, Egypt
16
Q
Ramses v Sea Peoples: When?
A
1190 BC, Sea Peoples Campaign
17
Q
Ramses v Sea Peoples: Why?
A
The Sea Peoples, a band of migratory tribes, were looking for land to settle and had been launching small attacks on Egyptian soil.
18
Q
Ramses v Sea Peoples: Outcome?
A
Egyptian Victory: Ramses III slowly overcame the threat of the Sea Peoples, who eventually settled in Canaan.
19
Q
Siege of Jerusalem: Who?
A
David, King of Israel v Canaanite defenders
20
Q
Siege of Jerusalem: What?
A
Israelites launch missiles at the fortifications, creating time for the foot soldiers to scale the walls.
21
Q
Siege of Jerusalem: When?
A
1000 BC, Wars of the Israelites
22
Q
Siege of Jerusalem: Why?
A
David needed a new capital to unify the northern and southern Israeli tribes.
23
Q
Siege of Jerusalem: Outcome?
A
Israelite Victory: In spite of being ill-equipped to launch a siege, David’s sudden attack was enough to secure a rapid surrender.
24
Q
Siege of Samaria: Who?
A
Benhadad II, King of Syria v Ahab, king of Samaria
25
Siege of Samaria: What?
Benhadad II led a huge army with 32 other tribal leaders and laid siege to the outnumbered Samarians in their city.
26
Siege of Samaria: Where?
Samaria, the wealthy capital of the northern half of the Israelite kingdom after its division on the death of Solomon.
27
Siege of Samaria: When?
890 BC, Wars of the Israelites
28
Siege of Samaria: Why?
Benhadad believed Samaria's flourishing economy and ambitions to be a threat to his own kingdom.
29
Siege of Samaria: Outcome?
Israelite Victory: Benhedad, taking victory for granted, set impossible conditions of surrender. While indulging in drunken revelry, a bold sortie of young Samarian officers took him by surprise.
30
Golan Heights: Who?
The Israelite army of King Ahab v the Syrian army of King Benhadad II.
31
Golan Heights: What?
Ahab undertook a campaign to defend against a second invasion by the the reconstituted army of Benhadad II, defeating the Syrians.
32
Golan Heights: Where?
The Golan Heights, northwest of the Israelite capital of Samaria.
33
Golan Heights: When?
874 BC, Wars of the Israelites
34
Golan Heights: Why?
Following his defeat at Samaria, Syrian King Benhadad II intended to invade the kingdom of Israel a second time. Ahab, the Israelite king, was determined to prevent another invasion.
35
Golan Heights: Outcome?
Israelite Victory: The Syrian army was routed a second time and, after begging for his life, Benhadad was spared by Ahab.
36
Revolt of Mesha: Who?
Mesha, King of Moab v his Jehoram, King of Israel, who was in alliance with Edom
37
Revolt of Mesha: What?
Jehoram decides to extinguish the revolt by storming into Moab territory.
38
Revolt of Mesha: Where?
The walled citadel of Kir-Haraseth, thought to be modern day Kerak, in Jordan.
39
Revolt of Mesha: When?
850 BC, Wars of the Israelites
40
Revolt of Mesha: Why?
On the death of King Ahab, the Israelites were wracked by internal divisions, and King Mesha revolted to exploit the situation.
41
Revolt of Mesha: Outcome?
Moab victory/stalemate: Jehoram inflicted heavy casualties on the Moabs, but the Kir-Haraseth was able to hold out, and force the Israelites to withdraw.
42
Campaign against Edom: Who?
King Azamiah of Judah against an army of Edomites
43
Campaign against Edom: What?
Azamiah was able to deploy cavalrymen for the first time in his kingdom's history to try to seize a valuable prize.
44
Campaign against Edom: Where?
According to the Bible, in the Valley of Salt, near the Dead Sea
45
Campaign against Edom: When?
785 BC, Judean Campaign
46
Campaign against Edom: Why?
The Judeans had long coveted neighbouring Edom for its access to sea trade routes.
47
Campaign against Edom: Outcome?
Judean Victory: A massive victory for Judah, as its well-equipped soldiers inflicted heavy casualties on the nomadic Edomites.
48
Palestine and Syria: Who?
Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria v Israel/Damascus coalition (King Pekah of Israel)
49
Palestine and Syria: What?
During siege of Damascus, Tiglath-Pileser's troops also marauded through the adjoining terrain, reducing the Israelites to submission.
50
Palestine and Syria: Where?
Damascus, Tyre and the surrounding countryside and city ports along the Mediterranean coast.
51
Palestine and Syria: When?
734-733 BC, Assyrian Wars
52
Palestine and Syria: Why?
Assyria was a mighty force on the Middle Eastern stage but, being landlocked, it had its eyes on the Mediterranean conquests.
53
Palestine and Syria: Outcome?
Assyrian Victory: A decisive Assyrian victory and an emphatic statement of its military prowess.
54
Siege of Lachish: Who?
King Sennacherib of Assyria v King Hezekiah of Judah
55
Siege of Lachish: What?
Lachish was a well-fortified town en route to Jerusalem.
56
Siege of Lachish: Where?
Historical city of Lachish, south of Jerusalem.
57
Siege of Lachish: When?
700 BC, Assyrian Wars
58
Siege of Lachish: Why?
Hezekiah announced a long-term defensive campaign to wear down his Assyrian overloads, prompting Sennacherib to attack immediately.
59
Siege of Lachish: Outcome?
A decisive Assyrian victory, after which Senn. marched on Jerusalem. Although Jerusalem did not fall, the rebellion was quelled and the point had been made.
60
Fall of Judah: Who?
King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon v King Zedekiah of Judah.
61
Fall of Judah: What?
Zedekiah banked on Jerusalem's 'impregnability', but the Babylonians proved as ruthless masters of the siege as the Assyrians.
62
Fall of Judah: Where?
Jerusalem
63
Fall of Judah: When?
586 BC, Babylonian Campaign
64
Fall of Judah: Why?
Judah, squeezed between the feuding empires of Egypt and Babylon, sought to exploit the situation, provoking the wrath of Babylon.
65
Fall of Judah: Outcome?
Babylon Victory: Neb. broke the defences of Jerusalem, put Zedekiah in chains and hauled thousands of Judeans into captivity, temporarily extinguishing the Judean state.
66
Marathon: Who?
Athenian general Miltiades v King Darius' general Datis.
67
Marathon: What?
Greek hoplites charged the Persian line, broke light infantry on the flanks who then turned in on the heavy infantry center.
68
Marathon: Where?
Marathon, 42 km from Athens in Greece.
69
Marathon: When?
490 BC, Greco-Persian Wars
70
Marathon: Why?
Darius invaded Greece to punish Athens for its support of a rebellion of the Ionian Greek cities in Asia Minor.
71
Marathon: Outcome?
Greek Victory: The Persian army was all but wiped out, and the Greek peninsula was saved from Persian conquest.
72
Salamis: Who?
Greek League (alliance) of about 310 ships v Persian fleet of 700 triremes led by Admiral Ariabignes, with King Xerxes on land with army.
73
Salamis: What?
The marine exchanges of arrows and javelins were succeeded by ramming and boarding of enemy vessels.
74
Salamis: Where?
In the Salamis Strait, between the island of Salamis and the mainland of Attica.
75
Salamis: When?
20 September, 480 BC, Greco-Persian Wars
76
Salamis: Why?
Xerxes launched a massive invasion in revenge for Greek interference in a Persian rebellion and Athenian victory over a Persian force at Marathon in 490BC.
77
Salamis: Outcome?
Resounding Greek Victory: The Persians lost over 300 ships sunk and many more captured and disabled.
78
Plataea: Who?
Persian army led by Mardonius with subordinate Artabazus v Greek Athens/Sparta coalition led by Pausanias.
79
Plataea: What?
Mardonius is killed in a land battle. Greeks, boasting largest ever number of hoplites (38,000), thus end Persian ambitions to take control of Greece.
80
Plataea: Where?
About 8 km east of the ancient town of Plataea.
81
Plataea: When?
479 BC, Greco-Persian Wars
82
Plataea: Why?
Although the Persian fleet was destroyed at Salamis, its army remained. Sparta formed a fragile alliance with Athens to administer the coup de grace.
83
Plataea: Outcome?
Greek Victory: The well-armoured hoplites proved better suited to the conditions. Mardonius was killed, and the Persians withdrew from Greece.
84
Syracuse: Who?
Athenian expedition v Corinthian colony of Syracuse.
85
Syracuse: What?
An Athenian feint to the north of the city allowed their main force to land unopposed in the harbour and bottle up the surprised garrison in the inner city.
86
Syracuse: Where?
Syracuse in Sicily.
87
Syracuse: When?
415 BC, Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC)
88
Syracuse: Why?
To restrict the flow of grain to the Peloponnesian League and complete Athen's domination.
89
Syracuse: Outcome?
Syracuse Victory: Although the Athenians had limited initial success, further land and naval reinforcements were sucked in and destroyed by the Syracusans, reversing Athens' earlier successes in the war.
90
Leuctra: Who?
Epaminondas (Theban) with 7000-9000 forces v King Cleombrotus (Spartan) with 12,000
91
Leuctra: What?
Epaminondas used an unusual heavy left flank tactic while holding troops in reserve on the center and right (a 'refused' flank).
92
Leuctra: Were?
16km west of Thebes in Greece.
93
Leuctra: When?
July 371 BC, Greek Wars
94
Leuctra: Why?
The Spartans invaded Theban territory in response to a request from several Boetian cities for assistance in overthrowing their Theban overlords.
95
Leuctra: Outcome?
Theban Victory: Broke the reputation of Spartan invincibility, and losing to a smaller force did irreparable damage to their prestige. First time a Spartan king had fallen in battle against fellow Greeks.
96
Granicus River: Who?
Alexander the Great (Macedonian) and Greek allies v a Persian force.
97
Granicus River: What?
The Persians' positional advantage on the banks of the Granicus proved ineffective against the valour of Alexander and his cavalry.
98
Granicus River: Where?
At the crossing point of the Granicus (now Biga) River, Asia Minor, near what is now Ergili, Turkey.
99
Granicus River: When?
May 334 BC, Macedonian Conquests
100
Granicus River: Why?
Alexander wanted to put into action his father's unfulfilled dream of breaking the Persian Empire.
101
Granicus River: Outcome?
Macedonian Victory: Alexander's success established a bridgehead in Asia Minor and enabled him to press deeper into Persian territory.
102
Issus: Who?
Alexander the Great (Macedonian) v Persians led by King Darius III.
103
Issus: What?
Alexander, seemingly out-thought by Darius, used impromptu cavalry charges to recover an exposed gap in the Macedonian line and then charge Darius off the field. The Persian ranks soon fell apart.
104
Issus: Where?
On the banks of the river Pinarus, near the town founded by Alexander as Alexandria (now Iskenderun, not THAT Alexandria).
105
Issus: When?
3 November 333 BC, Macedonian Conquests
106
Issus: Why?
Alexander the Great's launching of a campaign in Asia Minor, and his success at Granicus River, had stirred the attention of the Persian ruler Darius III.
107
Issus: Outcome?
Macedonian Victory: Darius III fled the battlefield, leaving the west part of Asia Minor decisively in Alexander's hands.
108
Siege of Tyre: Who?
Alexander the Great (Macedonian) with Greek army and several Phoenician cities and Cyprus v Tyre, a major Phoenician city subject to Persia.
109
Siege of Tyre: What?
Macedonian siege of Tyre, which resisted Alexander in his effort to control the eastern seaboard of the Mediterranean.
110
Siege of Tyre: Where?
Tyre (modern Sur, south of Lebanon) approximately 0.8km off the Phoenician coast.
111
Siege of Tyre: When?
Jan-Aug 332 BC, Macedonian Conquests
112
Siege of Tyre: Why?
Alexander did not have a sufficient naval force to meet the Persian fleet, so he eliminated the threat by taking the Persian-held seaports of the eastern Mediterranean coast, including Tyre.
113
Siege of Tyre: Outcome?
Macedonian Victory: After seven months of resistance, Alexander took Tyre, killing most of the male population and enslaving the women and children.
114
Gaugamela: Who?
Alexander the Great (Macedonian) v King Darius (Persia)
115
Gaugamela: What?
War elephants from India and scythed chariots meant to be secret weapons used to break the legendary Macedonian line.
116
Gaugamela: Where?
Gaugamela near the city of Arbela.
117
Gaugamela: When?
1 October 331 BC, Macedonian Conquests
118
Gaugamela: Why?
To Alexander, the Persian Empire stood as the very definition of world power. That taken, Alexander and his army would neither face nor fear a rival.
119
Gaugamela: Outcome?
Macedonian Victory: In a staggering display of tactical adaptability and superb military training, Alexander's army resisted and destroyed every Persian weapon and tactic. However, one subordinate's error (Parmenio, Alexander's long-time General) resulted in a crisis of Macedonian command.
120
Hydaspes: Who?
Alexander the Great (Macedonian) v King Porus (India)
121
Hydaspes: What?
Porus' army stood blocking Alexander's crossing of the river. Alexander feinted a crossing, then crossed the majority of his army elsewhere. Not intimidated by elephants, which were easily flanked by his cavalry.
122
Hydaspes: Where?
The banks of the Hydaspes river, now the Jhelum river on the northwest frontier of what is now Pakistan.
123
Hydaspes: When?
326 BC, Macedonian Conquests
124
Hydaspes: Why?
Alexander sought to carry his conquests on into India, to subjugate the known world to his rule.
125
Hydaspes: Outcome?
Macedonian Victory: Alexander accepted Porus' submission and appointed him a client king, but his plans for further conquest were later thwarted when his men finally refused to go any further.
126
Mylae: Who?
Consul Caius Duilius (Roman) fleet v Carthaginian fleet
127
Mylae: What?
Romans deployed corvus -i for the first time, long wooden planks for holding and then boarding enemy ships.
128
Mylae: Where?
Mylae (modern-day Milazzo) off the Sicilian coast.
129
Mylae: When?
260 BC, First Punic War (264-241 BC)
130
Mylae: Why?
Rome at this period was still a largely land-based power. It needed control of the seas if its colonial ambitions were to be pursued.
131
Mylae: Outcome?
Roman Victory: A surprise victory for the Tomans, given the Carthaginians' superior maritime experience, paving the way for further sea victories ahead.
132
Trebia: Who?
Consuls Publius Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius Longus (Roman) with 4 legions v Hannibal Barca (Carthaginian)
133
Trebia: What?
Hannibal set up on the Trebia and drew the impatient Sempronius out, creating a home-field advantage in a foreign land.
134
Trebia: Where?
The banks of the Trebia, what is now near the Piacenza in northern Italy.
135
Trebia: Why?
The first Punic War has set the hatred of Carthage for Rome in stone. Hannibal had to be stopped from entering Italy, if he was to be stopped at all.
136
Trebia: Outcome?
Carthaginian Victory: Rome's greatest military disaster in the field would soon be followed by others.
137
Trebia: When?
December 218 BC, Second Punic War (218-201 BC)
138
Raphia: Who?
King Antiochus III (Seleucid Empire) v Ptolemy IV (Egypt)
139
Raphia: What?
Seleucid's Indian elephants prove useful and almost defeat Egypt. But Ptolemy's phalanx of pikemen prove decisive.
140
Raphia: Where?
Raphia (modern Rafah, near Gaza)
141
Raphia: When?
22 June 217 BC, Hellenistic Wars
142
Raphia: Why?
Coele-Syria was much disputed borderland between the Ptolemaic Egyptians and the Seleucid empire, and long fought over.
143
Raphia: Outcome?
Ptolemaic Victory: Ptolemy's success would secure the borders of Coele-Syria for a time, but after his death in 204 BC, Antiochus III would later capture it from his son, Ptolemy V.
144
Cannae: Why?
Consul Varro (Roman) v Hannibal Barca (Carthaginian)
145
Cannae: What?
Freebie!! You already know all this!! :D
146
Cannae: Where?
Cannae (Apulia, Italy)
147
Cannae: When?
216 BC (Second Punic War, 218-201 BC)
148
Cannae: Why?
Hannibal was attempting to wrest Rome's recently acquired Italian allies from her and so weaken her ability to continue the war.
149
Cannae: Outcome?
Carthaginian Victory: More than half the Roman force was cut down. But Rome raised another army and continued the war to ultimate victory.
150
Gaixia: Who?
Han Xin and Liu Bang (Han) v Xiang Yu (Chu)
151
Gaixia: What?
Xiang Yu, in attempting to free his wife when she was taken prisoner by the Han, marched into an ambush in a canyon near Gaixia with tragic consequences.
152
Gaixia: Where?
Gaixia, modern day Suzhou.
153
Gaixia: When?
202 BC, Chu-Han Wars (206-202 BC)
154
Gaixia: Why?
China had become divided between the rival rulers of the Hand in western China, and the Chu in the east.
155
Gaixia: Outcome?
Han Victory: After his victory, Liu Bang was effectively able to unite China, and he declared himself emperor of the newly established Han dynasty.
156
Chios: Who?
King Philip V (Macedon) v the combined fleets of Rhodes, Pergamon, Byzantium, and Cyzicus.
157
Chios: What?
Philip V had a new fleet with some of the heaviest fighting vessels at the time, but the Greeks were simply more experienced.
158
Chios: Where?
Off the island of Chios, Aegean Sea.
159
Chios: When?
201 BC, Cretan War
160
Chios: Why?
The Macedonians under Philip V were determined to crush the maritime power of Rhodes, and attempt to revitalize some of Alexander the Great's empire.
161
Chios: Outcome?
Greek Victory: After this embarrassing defeat, the Macedonian fleet would play little further part in the battles against its Greek enemies.
162
Cynoscephalae: Who?
Consul Titus Quinctius Flaminius (Rome) v Philip V (Macedon) both equally matched with 26,000 men.
163
Cynoscephalae: What?
Manoeuvres by both sides led to an encounter battle that pitted the frontal power of the phalanx against the flexibility of the legion.
164
Cynoscephalae: Where?
Near a ridge known as Cynoscephalae, Southeast Thessaly, Greece
165
Cynoscephalae: When?
197 BC, Second Macedonian War (200-197 BC)
166
Cynoscephalae: Why?
Rome was concerned at the expansionist intent displayed by Philip V, and moved to counter his ambitions.
167
Cynoscephalae: Outcome?
Roman Victory: A crushing defeat for the Macedonians despite some local successes.
168
Pydnae: Who?
Lucius Aemilius Paullus (Roman) v King Perseus (Macedon)
169
Pydnae: What?
It was a classic phalanx v legion clash, with the legions emerging victorious. The battle also marked a major shift in power, with Roman military might firmly establishing the new order in the Mediterranean.
170
Pydnae: Where?
Near the city of Pydna, Macedon.
171
Pydnae: When?
22 June 168 BC, Third Macedonian War (171-168 BC)
172
Pydnae: Why?
The Roman dissatisfaction with the indecisive Third Macedonian War resulted in a new campaign to subdue the increasingly anti-Roman Macedonians.
173
Pydnae: Outcome?
Roman Victory: The Macedonians were decisively defeated in battle and Macedon became a Roman province.
174
Emmaus: Who?
Judas Maccabeus (Judea) v General Lysias leading armies from Ptolemy, Georgias, and Nicanor (Seleucid)
175
Emmaus: What?
Judas Maccebeus could never beat the Seleucids in a set-piece battle, so his tactics were geared to splitting up his army into units and harassing the larger massed forced of the enemy at opportune moments.
176
Emmaus: Where?
Emmaus, near the foothills of Judea.
177
Emmaus: When?
165 BC, Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BC).
178
Emmaus: Why?
The Seleucid gov't sought to put down the troublesome revolet of the Jews led by Judas Maccabeus.
179
Emmaus: Outcome?
Judean Victory: The Jewish rebels continued a string of victories against the numerically and technologically superior Seleucids, defeating them again at Beth-Zur a year later, entering Jerusalem and rededicating their Temple.
180
Beth-Zechariah: Who?
Judas Maccabeus (Maccabeus) and his rebels v General Lysias (Seleucid Empire)
181
Beth-Zechariah: What?
The Seleucids would put on a crushing show of force in reducing the Judeans, but Lysias later showed unusual restraint in allowing them to continue with their religious practices, dampening the flame of rebellion.
182
Beth-Zechariah: Where?
The citadel at Beth-Zechariah, Jeruselam's last external defence.
183
Beth-Zechariah: When?
162 BC, Macabean Revolt (167-160 BC)
184
Beth-Zechariah: Why?
Either Israel would defend its capital or it would fail as a nation - Judas Maccabeus had sufficient faith in his own skills and his army to risk a fight to the finish.
185
Beth-Zechariah: Outcome?
Seleucidian Victory: One of the most feared weapons in the Hellenistic arsenal - elephants - broke the Jewish army and almost completely destroyed a resurgent Israel.
186
Aquae Sextae: Who?
Consul Gaius Marius (Roman) v Germanic Teutones tribe
187
Aquae Sextae: What?
The Germanic warriors were noted for their tenacity, but, confronted by the disciplined legions of Rome at Aquae Sextae, they had no answers to the short 'gladius' swords of the legionaries.
188
Aquae Sextae: Where?
Aquae Sextae, now Aix-en-Provence, in southern France.
189
Aquae Sextae: When?
102 BC
190
Aquae Sextae: Why?
Friction between Rome and the Germanic tribes was constant, and the migratory nature of some tribes inevitably brought them into conflict with Rome.
191
Aquae Sextae: Outcome?
Roman Victory: The Germanic tribes tried to charge uphill against formed and waiting legionary troops, and were crushingly defeated.
192
Pompey's Sea Campaign: Who?
Consul Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus "Pompey" (Roman) v mixed pirates of the Mediterranean
193
Pompey's Sea Campaign: What?
In a rapid 45-day campaign, Pompey swept across the seas to rid them of the scourge of piracy.
194
Pompey's Sea Campaign: Where?
The Mediterranean waters off Italy, Sicily, North Africa, Sardinia, and Spain.
195
Pompey's Sea Campaign: When?
67 BC
196
Pompey's Sea Campaign: Why?
Piracy had been rife for over a century, after the decline of Greek Rhodes, which had acted as police. Increasingly bold pirates had been carrying their raids inland. Grain cargo routes were affected.
197
Pompey's Sea Campaign: Outcome?
Roman Victories: Pompey achieved rapid results, though his campaign of re-exacting tribute and resettling the pirates did not go down well with all Romans, and piracy would remain an issue.
198
Siege of Jerusalem: Who?
General Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus 'Pompey' (Roman) and Hyrcanus v Aristobulus (Judean)
199
Siege of Jerusalem: What?
Intense artillery, auxiliary missile troops, battering rams, and a specially built ramp eventually wore down the Judean defenders.
200
Siege of Jerusalem: Where?
The city of Jerusalem in Judea.
201
Siege of Jerusalem: When?
63 BC, Roman Campaign.
202
Siege of Jerusalem: Why?
Pompey had wide ranging powers to end a threat to Rome, and decided that there were sufficient grounds for intervention in Jerusalem, siding with 1 of 2 feuding princes.
203
Siege of Jerusalem: Outcome?
Roman Victory: Pompey's forces were successful and captured the Temple. He then installed a High Priest of his own choosing.
204
Carrhae: Who?
Marcus Licinius Crassus (Roman) 42,000 v Parthian army
205
Carrhae: What?
The Romans formed a hollow square, but 5500 were lured out (led by Publius, son of Crassus) in pursuit of the horse archers and massacred by the new troop type - the cataphract. The rest were steadily shot down.
206
Carrhae: Where?
Carrhae, 48 km south of Edessa in Syria.
207
Carrhae: When?
53 BC, Wars of the First Triumvirate (59-53 BC)
208
Carrhae: Why?
Crassus needed a military success to further his political rivalry with the other Triumvirs, Pompey, and Julius Caesar.
209
Carrhae: Outcome?
Parthian Victory: Only 5000 of the Roman army escaped, 10,000 surrendered, and the rest, including Crassus, were slaughtered.
210
Alesia: Who?
Gaius Julius Caesar (Roman) and 70,000 v Chieftan Vercingetorix (Gallic) and 80,000 plus 250,000 reinforcements.
211
Alesia: What?
The Roman forces built two wall fortifications, one to pen the Gauls within their fortress and one to prevent relief.
212
Alesia: Where?
Mount Auxois, near what is now Dijon.
213
Alesia: When?
52 BC, Gallic War (58-50 BC)
214
Alesia: Why?
Julius Caesar embarked on a campaign to pacify Gaul and bring the Gallic tribes within the empire. The Gauls resisted fiercely.
215
Alesia: Outcome?
Roman Victory: Break-out and relief attempts were contained, and the starving Gauls were forced to surrender. Operations continued into the following year, but at Alesia the Gauls were broken.
216
Actium: Who?
Octavian, the Roman Princeps (First Citizen) v combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in a Roman civil war.
217
Actium: What?
Mark Antony's ships got trapped at Actium where the more mobile fleet of Octavian was able to out-flank him.
218
Actium: Where?
Off the promontory of Actium in the Ionian Sea.
219
Actium: When?
31 BC, Wars of the Second Triumvirate (43-33 BC)
220
Actium: Why?
The Second Triumvirate of Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus had broken down and there were fears Mark Antony threatened a break-up of the Empire through his alliance with Cleopatra.
221
Actium: Outcome?
Octavian Victory: Mark Antony's fleet was destroyed and Octavian, eventually to become Augustus, was left in complete control.
222
Teutoberger Wald: Who?
Publius Quinctilius Varus (Roman) v Chief Arminius of the Cherusci tribe (Germanic).
223
Teutoberger Wald: What?
The Roman forces were betrayed, ambushed, and massacred by the Cherusci in Teutoberger Wald.
224
Teutoberger Wald: Where?
Along the line of march towards winter quarters in the deep forest, near Osnabruck in northwest Germany.
225
Teutoberger Wald: Why?
Tiring of Roman policies, the Cherusci turned on their allies and used guerrilla tactics to destroy them in the forests, where standard legionary formations were ineffective.
226
Teutoberger Wald: Outcome?
Germanic Victory: Teutoberger Wald was a shocking defeat for the Roman Empire, and one that ensured that the Germanic frontier was never fully pacified. The battle had consequences that changed the course of European history.
227
Siege of Jerusalem: Who?
Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Roman) and 35,000 troops v Simon bar Giora and 24,000 rebel Jews.
228
Siege of Jerusalem: What?
Jerusalem was besieged for much of the war and finally taken by storm.
229
Siege of Jerusalem: Where?
The city of Jerusalem in Judea.
230
Siege of Jerusalem: When?
70 AD, Roman-Jewish Wars (66-73 AD)
231
Siege of Jerusalem: Why?
Outraged by the practices allowed by the Romans, the Jews rebelled against their conquerors.
232
Siege of Jerusalem: Outcome?
Roman Victory: The Jews were utterly defeated.
233
Masada: Who?
Lucius Flavius Silva (Roman) v Eleazar ben Yair (Judean)
234
Masada: What?
The Romans built a series of eight walled encampments at each approach to starve the defenders. Assembled ramps, rams, and siege towers soon fell the city of Masada.
235
Masada: Where?
Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea in modern Israel.
236
Masada: When?
73 AD, Roman-Jewish Wars (66-73 AD)
237
Masada: Why?
After a prolonged period of terrorist atrocities, the Romans were determined to end the disruption to civil life and tax collecting.
238
Masada: Outcome?
Roman Victory: The Jews slew each other, rather than face the Roman swords.
239
Red Cliffs: Who?
Cao Cao (Wei) v Liu Bei (Shu) and Sun Quan (Wu).
240
Red Cliffs: What?
The Battle of Red Cliffs was as much about deception as it was about open tactics. Warfare in the ancient Far East put a high value on being able to confuse or deceive the enemy - ethics often came second to victory.
241
Red Cliffs: Where?
On the south bank of the Yangtze river, southwest of modern Wuhan, China.
242
Red Cliffs: When?
Winter of 208-209 AD, Wars of the Three Kingdoms
243
Red Cliffs: Why?
Cao Cao, the northern Chinese warlord wanted to add land south of the Yangtze river to the territories under his control.
244
Red Cliffs: Outcome?
Liu/Sun Victory: Cao Cao's defeat ensured the two halves of China remained separate and paved the way for future bitter confrontations.
245
Dura Europos: Who?
Shapur I (Sassanid Persians) v Roman garrison.
246
Dura Europos: What?
The Sassanids, masters of seigecraft, set to undermine the walls of this old castle on the east-west trade route.
247
Dura Europos: Where?
Dura Europos, near Salhiye, in modern Syria.
248
Dura Europos: When?
256-257 AD, Sassanid-Roman Wars
249
Dura Europos: Why?
The Sassanids were trying to revive the glories of the ancient Persian empire, and posed a major threat to the Roman territories in the East.
250
Dura Europos: Outcome?
Sassanid Persian Victory: The siege proved successful, and after the Sassanids pillaged it, the fortress was abandoned, never to be rebuilt.
251
Milvian Bridge: Who?
Constantine (Roman) v Maxentius (Roman)
252
Milvian Bridge: What?
Maxentius' army was routed, the bridge the fled over collapsed, and Maxentius was drowned.
253
Milvian Bridge: Where?
At the Pons Milvius, the last bridge before Rome on the Appian Way.
254
Milvian Bridge: When?
28 October 312 AD, Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy (306-324 AD)
255
Milvian Bridge: Why?
Constantine sought to overthrow Maxentius and seize sole control of the Roman Empire.
256
Milvian Bridge: Outcome?
Constantine Victory: Constantine takes a great victory, ascribing it to divine intervention, and enters the capital.
257
Strasbourg: Who?
Commander Julianus (Late Roman) v King Chnodomar of the Alamanni tribal confederation.
258
Strasbourg: What?
Although the Roman forces under Julianus were relatively small, greater discipline and their ability to hold positions in a drill unit proved decisive.
259
Strasbourg: Where?
Argentoratum, near Strasbourg, Alsace, France
260
Strasbourg: When?
357 AD, Roman-Alamanni War
261
Strasbourg: Why?
In the fourth century, the German barbarian tribes had become increasingly bold in their attacks across the frontiers of Gaul, and threatened the Roman hold on the province.
262
Strasbourg: Outcome?
Roman Victory: Julianus was successfully able to evict the barbarians and restore the security of Roman defensive forts along the Rhine.
263
Adrianople: Who?
Emperor Flavius Valens (Eastern Roman Empire) v Fritigern (mixed Gothic army)
264
Adrianople: What?
By the fourth century, the Romans were losing their reputation for invincibility. The armies increasingly made us of mercenaries, and cavalry took their place alongside foot soldiers without being fully integrated. The Goths exploited the disorganization at Adrianople.
265
Adrianople: Where?
About 13km from Adrianople, modern Edirne in European Turkey.
266
Adrianople: When?
9 August 378, Roman-Gothic Wars (376-382 AD)
267
Adrianople: Why?
Having made a treaty with the Romans in 376, which allowed them to settle within the empire, the Goths rebelled against the ill-treatment they received. Valens intended to end this Gothic threat but attacked based on a mistaken report of Gothic strength, without waiting for the Western Roman army to arrive.
268
Adrianople: Outcome?
Gothic Victory: The Roman army was defeated. Two-thirds of the Roman forces, perhaps 10,000 men, were killed, including Valens.
269
The Hun's Campaign vs Eastern Rome: Who?
Attila and his brother Bleda (Hunnic) v Eastern Roman Empire
270
The Hun's Campaign vs Eastern Rome: What?
Famous for speed and breadth of their conquests, infamous for their ruthlessness, the Huns marched through Southeastern Europe to Constantinople.
271
The Hun's Campaign vs Eastern Rome: Where?
The Eastern Roman Empire from the Danube River throughout the Balkans and into Anatolia.
272
The Hun's Campaign vs Eastern Rome: When?
441-443 AD
273
The Hun's Campaign vs Eastern Rome: Why?
Breaking the peace treaty with the Huns, Emperor Theodosius provoked a campaign that devastated much of his empire.
274
The Hun's Campaign vs Eastern Rome: Outcome?
Hunnic Victory: The numerous victories of the Huns forced the Romans to negotiate the Treaty of Anatolius, which, among other things, markedly increased their tribute payments.
275
Catalaunian Fields: Who?
Flavius Aetius (Romans, Visigoths, and Alans) v Attila (Hunnic)
276
Catalaunian Fields: What?
Aetius' army occupied the high ground at the start of the battle, from which the Huns were unable to drive them despite hard fighting. After the few days' stalemate, the Huns withdrew but the Romans did not pursue them.
277
Catalaunian Fields: Where?
The Catalaunian Fields, between Troyes and Chalons-sur-Marne in what is now the Champagne region of France.
278
Catalaunian Fields: When?
June 451, Hunnic-Roman Wars
279
Catalaunian Fields: Why?
Aetius sought to halt the Huns' invasion of Gaul.
280
Catalaunian Fields: Outcome?
Roman Victory: Attila withdrew with his army and loot intact, but his invincible reputation was damaged and the conquest of Gaul was prevented.
281
Ad Decimum: Who?
Flavius Belisarius (Eastern Roman Empire) 15,000 v King Gelimer (Vandal) 11,000
282
Ad Decimum: What?
The Romans, advancing on the Vandal capital, Carthage, were intercepted by Vandal forces, resulting in a hard-fought battle.
283
Ad Decimum: Where?
16km south of Carthage, North Africa.
284
Ad Decimum: When?
13 September 533, Vandalic War (533-534 AD)
285
Ad Decimum: Why?
Belisarius and his army had been sent against the Vandals as part of the planned reconquest of the Western Roman Empire.
286
Ad Decimum: Outcome?
Roman (Byzantine) Victory: After almost being defeated, Belisarius' force emerged victorious.
287
Battle of Casilinium: Who?
Narses (Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire) v Butilin (Gothic Alamanni and Franks)
288
Battle of Casilinium: What?
Narses marched on Butilin's largely infantry-based army with a better balanced unit, including heavy cavalry and mounted archers as well as foot soldiers.
289
Battle of Casilinium: Where?
Volturno River, Italy
290
Battle of Casilinium: When?
554 AD, Byzantine Wars
291
Battle of Casilinium: Why?
The Alamanni chieftain Butilin had ambitions to take control of Italy, at a time when the Byzantine emperor Justinian I was attempting to reunite the two halves of the former Roman Empire.
292
Battle of Casilinium: Outcome?
Byzantine Wars: Narses was triumphant, and the entire opposing army, including Butilin, was massacred.
