Battle Of Adrianople, August 9th, 378 Ad (eBook)

The battle of Adrianople in 378 AD was fought between a Roman army led by Emperor Flavius Valens and a Germanic army - mainly of Ostrogoths and Visigoths - led by Fritigern. It took place in Adrianople (now Edirne, Turkey), resulting in a decisive victory for the Goths. In the simulation Flavius s Operational Strategy, of course, should have been to avoid direct confrontation without Gratianus' reinforcement. But since the Romans believed they had a numerical advantage because they did not distrust Goths cavalry away from the camp, it would be difficult to avoid attacking. The Tactic should have sought to surprise the Goths device in presence, either in time (speed of charges) or in space (battle order) of the attack. That is, it will ignore Fritigern s request for parliament and will now attack - a Fulgurbellum - as advised by its legates and tribunes. In practice it will employ an Agmen Impetum, seeking with its infantry to fix and destroy the opponent, while with its cavalry it protects itself in the flanks. Once conquered the Wagenburg will unfold in the Agmen Quadratum formation.