- The Battle of the Margus (July 285 CE) occurred during the Crisis of the Third Century.
- It was a confrontation between Carinus, son of the Emperor Carus, and Diocletian.
The Reason for the Battle
- After the sack of Ctesiphon in 283 CE, Carus had died of natural causes, leaving his two sons, Carinus and Numidian as co-emperors.
- The returning Roman army stopped at Chalcedon where Numerian was found dead.
- Diocletian then claimed Numerian‘s death had been an assassination, and his legions proclaimed him Emperor instead of Carinus.
The Battle
- Carinus immediately set off to challenge Diocletian and the two armies met in Moesia at the river Margus, near Naissus, modern Nis in Serbia.
- Despite Carinus‘ army appearing to gain the upper hand, Carinus was assassinated by his own Tribune, leaving Diocletian as undisputed Emperor.
The Outcome
- Diocletian ended the Crisis of the Third Century and imposed the Tetrarchy.
Naissus, Nis, Serbia