Middle Roman Empire, Military Anarchy (235-284), 46 Aurelian: Rhine-Danube Frontier [5/5], Aurelian’s Juthungine War

46 AURELIAN (60/2; r.270-275)

On hearing of the emperor’s death, the troops of his brother ¹⁸Aurelius Claudius Quintillus (58; fl.270) in Italy proclaimed him as Claudius’ successor. At Sirmium, however, the legions hailed Aurelian as emperor and he now set out for Italy. As Aurelian’s army drew nearer, Quintillus must have sensed resistance was hopeless, by the time Aurelian reached Aquileia, both Quintillus and his cause were dead.

Rhine-Danube Frontier (270-271) [5/5]

Since the defection of Postumus, the fortifications at the agri decumates had effectively been abandoned. Aurelian marched first against the Juthungi, who had invaded the province of Raetia, forcing them to retreat and routing them on the Danube. The Juthungi sued for peace and Aurelian allowed them to return home. Aurelian then set out to confront the Vandals, who had crossed the Danube near Aquincum (Budapest). As winter drew in, the Vandals, apparently unable to scavenge sufficient food for themselves, were decisively defeated.

Aurelian’s Juthungine War (271)

In 271 the Juthungi invaded Italy and defeated Aurelian near Placentia. Aurelian rallied his soldiers and followed the invaders as they marched south towards Rome. At Fanum Fortunae in Central Italy the Juthungi turned to face the Romans at Ticinum (south of Milan) and Aurelian crushed them in great victory. As the Juthungi withdrew, Aurelian pursued them and won the final decisive battle at Ticinum (=Pavia).

After Aurelian’s defeat at Placentia, shock and fear spread throughout Rome and riots broke out, apparently initiated by the mint-master Felicissimus and his fellow workers. After completing his victory over the Juthungi, Aurelian returned to Rome and put down the riots. 

During the last three centuries Rome had become essentially unwalled due to the ever expanding military strength of the Empire. Now, following the barbarian attacks in the north, Aurelian began to build a great wall around the city. 

Learning of Aurelian’s difficulties in Italy, the Goths renewed their attacks on Moesia and Thracia. In 271 Aurelian marched to the Balkans, where it seems two revolts had occurred (by Urbanus and Septiminus) that had been quickly extinguished. When Aurelian arrived in mid-271 he defeated and drove the Goths back across the Danube. Not content with that, he crossed the river and inflicted a crushing defeat on them, killing their king, Cannabaudes (or Cannabas).

Though the situation in Dacia was still tenuous, Aurelian could not spare the men to reinforce it and so he evacuated the province. This evacuation worked in the short run because it shortened the frontier, but at the same time it required the Romans to build a line of fortifications in the area, which was probably begun by Aurelian but completed by his successors.