Battle of Strasbourg
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| Rome against the Alamanni |
|---|
| Lake Benacus – Placentia – Fano – Pavia - Lingones - Vindonissa - Reims - Strasbourg - Solicinum - Argentovaria |
The Battle of Strasbourg, also known as the Battle of Argentoratum, was fought in 357 between the forces of the Roman Emperor Julian and the Alamanni led by King Chnodomar.
As the battle commenced, the German infantry, anxious not to be abandoned, convinced the cavalry to dismount and fight on foot. Despite this disadvantage, the Alamanni succeeded in driving back the Roman cavalry. Additionally, the Alamanni infantry, led by a band of nobles, broke through the Roman center. However, Julian rallied his cavalry, which returned to the fight, and the Roman Primani legion plugged the gap in the Roman center. The Alamanni soon broke and retreated. Many were slaughtered as they ran from the battlefield. Others drowned in the Rhine. Chnodomar was captured. Reports place the German dead at 6000. The Romans only lost 247 men.
Julian's army won the battle, and the Alamanni were driven beyond the Rhine.
As a result, Alsace was not ruled as part of Alamannia by Alamannic kings and dukes. Consequently, Alsace became a notoriously disputed territory for more than 1500 years, up to 1945 when its status as French région was settled.
Order of battle
Order of battle of Julian army.- Legiones Palatinae — 1,500 elite infantry
- * Primani
- Auxilia Palatina — 2,500 veteran auxiliary infantry
- * Batavii
- * Brachiati
- * Cornuti
- * Regii?
- Auxilia — 3,000 auxiliary
- * Heruli
- * Petulantes
- * Sagitarii
- clibanarii — 600
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