Battle of the Willows

The Battle of the Willows (377) took place at a place called ad Salices ("town by the willows"), or according to Ammianus, a road way-station called Ad Salices ("by the Willows"); probably located within 15 kilometres of Marcianople (modern day Dobrudja, Bulgaria), although its exact location is unknown. Forces from the Western Roman Empire under the command of Richomeres advanced westward, while forces of the eastern Roman Empire under Traianus and Profuturus advanced northward where they joined forces to attack the Goths who had recently rebelled under command of Fritigern. and were laying waste to the northern Balkans.

Battle of the Willows
Part of the Gothic War of 376–382 and Roman–Germanic Wars
Date 377 Location Ad Salices (exact unknown), in Moesia, Bulgaria Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Goths	Western Roman Empire Eastern Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Fritigern Sueridas Colias	Richomeres Profuturus Traianus
Strength
10,000	5,000–6,000
Casualties and losses
Heavy	Heavy

The only extant description comes from Ammianus who left few details; he gives a lengthy description of the dead and dying, but no information on the number of combatants. At one point the Roman left wing gave way, but it was re-enforced and held. The battle ended with nightfall. The result was a bloody draw with both sides taking many losses; the Goths remained encamped behind their war-wagon circle for over a week after the battle.

See also

• Gothic War (376–382)

References

• MacDowall, S. (2001). Adrianople AD 378: The Goths Crush Rome's Legions. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1841761473.