Conquest of Dacia, 89 to 105 A.D.
Fall of Dacia, 251 to 272 A.D.
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In 101 emperor Trajan, set out with another army to bring the Dacians under control. In the process of marching on Dacia, the Romans executed a spectacular engineering feat by building an enormous stone bridge across the Danube, which was strategically critical if the Romans were to maintain their supply lines. Once on the far side of the river Trajan resumed his march. Again the Dacians were defeated, and again Decebalus agreed to terms of peace which he refused to abide by.
Trajan's second campaign into Dacia, four years later, was difficult and costly, but he persevered and eventually besieged the Dacian capital of Sarmizegethusa, cut off the water supply and when the town surrendered he razed and burned it to the ground. Decebalus killed himself, and Dacia, which corresponds roughly to modern Romania, was occupied as a Roman province.
Date | Battle Summary | |
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Battle of Tapae
Romans victory
Two battles Fought 87/88 between a Roman army under Fuscus and Julianus, and the Dacians under Decebaulus. In the earlier campaign the Romans were ambushed and beaten. In the following campaign they were more successful, but concluded a peace with Dacia before completely subduing the region. | ||
Battle of Tapae
Romans victory
Fought 101, between the Dacians, under Decebalus, and the Romans, under Trajan. The Dacians were utterly routed, and driven across the river with heavy loss. | ||
Battle of Sarmizegethusa
drawn battle victory
Fought winter 102, between the Dacians under Decbalus and the Romans under Trajan. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and there was no decisive victory. Decebalus however, sued for a truce, and Rome gained tolerably favorable terms. | ||
Siege of Sarmizegethusa (Defeat of Varus )
Romans victory
The capital of Dacia was besieged in 105. After cutting off their water supplies, most of the garrison fled the city, leaving all of Dacia in the hands of the Romans. |
Second of "Five Good Emperors." Ruled with justice and integrity. Conquered Dacia. | |
Chief of Dacian tribes. Conquered by Romans but rebelled. Romans reconquered Dacia an killed Decebalus. |
Last Advance in | Helmet and Spear by Alfred J. Church |
Trajan's Column in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
Trajan in | Famous Men of Rome by John H. Haaren & A. B. Poland |
Trajan in | Back Matter by books/horne/soldiers/_back.html |
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Date | Battle Summary | |
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Siege of Philippopolis (Invasion of Dacia )
Goths victory
This city was besieged, 251, by the Goths, under Cniva, and after a gallant defense, and the defeat of an attempt by Decius to relieve it, was stormed and sacked. It is said that 100,000 of the garrison and inhabitants perished in the siege and subsequent massacre. | ||
Siege of Forum Terebronii (Invasion of Dacia )
Goths victory
Fought 251, between the Romans under Decius, and the Goths under Cuiva. The Gothic army was drawn up in three lines, and the legionaries overthrew the first two, but, in attacking the third, they became entangled in a morass, and were utterly routed. Decius and his son were slain. | ||
Battle of Naissus
Romans victory
Fought 269 between the Imperial troops, under the Emperor Claudius Gothicus, and the invading Goths. The Romans were hard pressed, when the Gothic lines were attacked in the rear by a force of 5,000 men, which Claudius had concealed for this purpose in the neighboring mountains, and being thrown into confusion, were totally routed. Fifty thousand men are said to have fallen in the battle. |
First Roman Emperor killed during an engagement with Barbarians, at Forum Terebronii. | |
Barbarian chieftain of an army of Goths that raided the Balkins in 251. |
Image Links | ||
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![]() Trajan besieging a Dacian fort in Helmet and Spear |