Strasbourg August 357 Strategic Context During the most
Strasbourg August [? ], 357 Strategic Context During the most recent Roman civil war, Constantius encourages Germanic tribes such as the Alamanni to stir up trouble in rival Magnentius’ western half of the empire. When Constantius defeats Magnentius in 351, he is left with the disorder he helped create. In 355, he appoints his cousin, Flavius Claudius Julianus – better known as Julian the Apostate – as Caesar of the Gaul to crush the Alamanni. Julian learns much of his enemy in 356 and takes the offensive the following year. The Roman plan calls for Barbatio to advance from the east and Julian from the south to encircle the growing Alamanni confederation, but a surprise attack forces Barbatio to withdraw. Barbatio’s defeat also encourages seven Alamanni kings to mass their forces against Julian who quickly marches to battle before the confederation disperses or, worse, grows. Stakes + A Roman victory would shatter the Alamanni confederation and allow Julian to re-establish control west of the Rhine River. No Image Available + An Alamanni victory would make Roman ambitions to re-establish control ever more distant. By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©
Strasbourg, 357 Strength §Romans §Alamanni §Julian the Apostate §Chnodomar § 13, 000 § 15, 000 §Well By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©
Julian deploys hisinfantry inon twothe lines his elite primani legion atthe the. Roman rear center where which he supervises the battle. Julian deploys his superior cavalry the right in the open The Alamanni leftwith succeed inright disrupting cavalry panic and break under combined arms on attack. Chnodomar The Alamanni attack fails and increasing numbers warriors perishing. The Alamanni right isthe first to rout, followed by the left and The attack on the Roman dissolves into aare stalemate. At the center, the Alamanni second enters theto Chnodomar Julian and on the entire other Alamanni primani legion kings lead toof hit thearmy flanks forward; ofhisthe Alamanni Roman spearhead and close the tosecond gap. meet The terrain Alamanni andcalls a separate detachment to guard his left flank under Severus. Chnodomar deploys infantry similar to thecenter Romans but his right rear lineadvance is reallywave just a wave leads his cavalry against the Roman right flank but is met by Roman infantry reserves, shouted forward by Julian. At the center, the Roman center. Julian ensures a rapid pursuit as the Roman cavalry re-enter the battle to chase down the fleeing Alamanni. The Roman follow up the first and break the Roman lines; the nobles occupy the frontline center to lead by example. The Alamanni right is anchored on soggy terrain where Serapio fray, imperiling the Roman line; a concentration of Alamanni nobles cut their way through the Roman center and engage attack. Alamanni Severus attack cautiously stalls maintains as thepositions. his Roman position, reserve sensing enters an the ambush. battleacknowledges on the rightsurprise as well. infantry are hard-pressed butfor aregood On the Alamanni Serapio cannot be achieved so he commands an ambush force. Chnodomar deploys atheir mixed and force many of cavalry and infantry on hisright, left wing which he will personally into a battle; he hopes to neutralizeand the Roman pursuit results in the capture of holding Chnodomar drowned Alamanni warriors attempting tolead cross river. the primani legion. The Alamanni attack on the Roman left is completely repulsed and forced back. charges the Roman left. Severus fiercely engages the Alamanni in this sector. cavalry by having his infantry attack the horses from below and then kill the rider. Alamanni (Chnodomar) Chnodomar Serapio Romans Severus (Julian the Apostate) 13, 000 Alamanni (Chnodomar) 15, 000 Julian Romans (Julian)
Strasbourg, 357 Casualties & Aftermath Romans: Alamanni: 1, 500 8, 000 or or 12% 53% Julian consolidated Roman control over Gaul over the next few years. Constantius, jealous of Julian’s success and at war with Persia recalled Julian’s best troops in 360. Julian’s legions refused to march east and instead proclaimed him emperor, sparking civil war. Constantius died in 361, ceding the Roman empire and war with Persia to Julian. He confidently invaded Persia in 363 but King Shapur proved more than capable of protecting his land; Julian was killed in battle the same year and his army destroyed the next. By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©
The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http: //www. theartofbattle. com By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©
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