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Welcome
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The Wanderings of the Tribes
Known as the "Migration Age", the period from the Third to Seventh Centuries saw great movements of many Germanic peoples. This group is for the discussion of these tribes, clans and warbands, their great treks and their part in the fall of the Roman Empire.
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In357 AD, the Alamanni tribes under the two kings, Chnodomar and Serapio crossed the Rhine leading a large army of 35,000 Germanic tribesmen. In reaction, the Emperor Caesar Julian the Apostate marched to intercept after linking up with his main force at Remi. He lead an army of 13,000, comprised of 4,500 legionnaries, 5,500 auxilliaries, 600 heavy Clibanarii cavalry, and other troops.
The Battle of Strasbourg (Argentorate, Strasbourg’s original name) takes place near the Rhine in the Alscace region of what is now France. Chnodomar commanded the bulk of the Alamanni troops, while Serapio hid in the woods a sizeable detachment.
Julian advanced his forces for some 21 miles on a hot August morning before crossing a hill to find the Germans arrayed before him. He quickly advanced with a line of Auxiliaries backed by his legions forming the left wing and centre. His right wing was formed of the heavy cavalry backed up by Auxillaries (Batavii and Regii). Skirmishers were deployed to cover his right flank, and Light Horse covered his left.
As the Romans approached, Seveus, in command of the Roman left wing detected an ambush and halted before the woods. The Germans saw that the ambush they had hoped for would not be possible and rushed headlong in attack now only to be easily repulsed. A general advance by the Germans began. The Roman left wing held but on the right the Roman cavalry fell back in disorder when the Roman Clibannarii commander was killed.
The Batavi and Regii auxillaries were sent to reinforce the veteran Cornutii and Bracchiati in the front ranks and drove the Germans back. What happened next was a final charge led by several Alamanni kings. The front line of the Romans is breached in the center, where the reserve Primani Legion advanced to halt and eventually countercharge. The professionalism of the Roman army won the day,and after continuous pressure, the Alamanni broke and ran. They were to suffer heavy losses in the pursuit, including many tribesmen who drowned in the Rhine.
King Chnodomar was captured and over 6,000 Germans were killed for the loss of less than 300 Roman troops.
Taking in part from
Ammianus Marcellinus and the Roman Rules of War of the Fourth Century A.D.
