MAIASK. 2016. No. 8

O. V. Vus (Lvov, Ukraine), M. V. Fomin (Kharkov, Ukraine)

BATTLE OF ADRIANOPLE ON AUGUST 9, 378. TRIUMPH OF GERMANS AND TRAGEDY OF ROMANS

Access this article (PDF File)

<< Previous page

Pages: 377-392

In the article the second phase of the Roman-Gothic war in 377—378 is researched, the highlight of which was the battle between the army of Emperor Valens and the Gothic army of Fritigern near Adrianople in Thrace. While active hostilities in the summer of 378 the Roman generals have repeatedly tried to change the course of the war in their favour, and the battle of Adrianople has become the most significant attempt. But allowing a number of important tactical and strategic miscalculations in the process of combat training, the Emperor Valens lost this battle and perished in it. The Roman Empire suffered huge losses and left the civilians of the Balkan Peninsula without protection. The leader of Thervings, Fritigern, that showed outstanding military talent during the battle, intercepted strategic initiative from the Roman generals, and went on immediate approaches to Constantinople. Overall the spring-summer 378 campaign has ended by a crushing military defeat of the Romans.

Key words: Roman Empire, the Balkans, Valens, Fritigern, war, battle, Adrianople.

Received October 27, 2016
Accepted for publication November 2, 2016

About the authors:

Vus Oleh Vladimirovich (Львов, Украина). Candidate of Historical Sciences, Independent researcher.

E-mail: balkani2015@mail.ru

Fomin Mikhail Vladimirovich (Харьков, Украина). Candidate of Historical Sciences, Senior teacher of the department of tourist business of the Kharkov State Academy of Culture.

E-mail: fomin_mv@ukr.net