Battle of Brumath

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Battle of Brumath
date 356
place Brumath , France
output Victory of the Romans
Parties to the conflict

Roman Empire

Alemanni

Commander

Julian

unknown

Troop strength
13,000 legionaries unknown

The battle of Brumath was a battle between the Romans and the Alemanni in 356 and at the same time the first great victory of Julian in his campaign against this Germanic tribe .

prehistory

After the siege of Autun , the Roman general Julian recognized the military danger the Alamanni people represented for the provinces of the Roman Empire in Central Europe. Therefore, in the summer of 356, he organized a campaign against the Alemanni living in Germania magna .

After the defeat of the Romans in the Battle of Reims , the campaign had stalled and Julian urgently needed to rebuild the morale of his 13,000 legionnaires.

First of all, it was important to recapture the seven Roman cities ( Strasbourg , Brumath , Zabern , Selz , Speyer , Worms and Mainz ) that had been captured by the Alemanni the previous year. Among them was the city of Brumath, northwest of Strasbourg. Julian proceeded systematically and first let this poorly defended city be captured. The small garrison knew that they had no chance against the Roman superiority and therefore surrendered after a short battle. But the Alamanni had already expected such a step by the Romans and attacked the city of Brumath with a large army. In 356 there was the battle of Brumath.

course

The battle took place outside the city walls. Julian had his army set up in a semicircle and then attacked the Germanic warriors. The Romans managed to form such a broad front that the circle closed behind the Teutons and they could attack the Alemannic army from all sides. After a brief exchange of blows, the Alamanni withdrew and the Roman Empire emerged victorious from this battle.

consequences

This victory was by no means decisive for the further course of the campaign, but it was the first victory of Julian in Germania.

literature

  • Klaus Rosen : Julian. Emperor, God and haters of Christians . Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 2006, pp. 140f.
  • Julius Ferdinand Alphons Mücke: Flavius ​​Claudius Julianus , 1867, page 13 f