- The Battle of Philippopolis, (Plovdiv), also known as the Siege of Phillipopolis, took place in 250 or 251 CE.
- It was fought by Rome during the Gothic Invasions of 249-253 CE, but the city fell before Decius could arrive.
The Reason for the Siege
- The Battle occurred against the background of the Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 CE).
- A Gothic Army under King Cniva had crossed the Danube in 249 CE, after having already defeated a Roman Army under the Emperor Decius at Augusta Traiana.
The Siege
- After a prolonged siege by King Cniva, Phillipopolis fell before the army of Decius could reach it.
The Outcome
- King Cniva went on to ally himself against Decius, by supporting another Roman usurper, Priscus, Governor of Thrace. They then confronted Decius.
Battle of Abritus (251 CE)
- In the Summer of 251 CE, King Cniva met Decius’ the three Roman legions at Abritus (Razgad) in Bulgaria.
- Decius and his son and co-Emperor Herennius Etruscus, were defeated and became the first Roman Emperors to be killed in Battle by Barbarians.
Phillipopolis, (Plovdiv, Bulgaria)