The Battle of Adrianople

[Anthony]

Obviously, the Battle of Adrianople was one of the key turning points in history. In almost every discussion of the battle, I have seen a coda that soon afterward, a Spartan phalanx defeated a Gothic force. That episode often pops up in histories of Sparta as the last time the Spartan military appears in history.

I have never, however, found a detailed account of this battle. I had assumed it basically was a Spartan militia defeating a Gothic raiding party that ended up in Greece. I have, however, also seen speculation that the battle never occured.

Has anyone ever found an account of the battle (rather than the brief mention it usually gets)?

[nicephoras]

Adrianople is one of two "most fought over" spots in the world - the other being Megiddo (Mageddon..........armageddon). Which battle are you referring to? The 4th century battle in which Valens was destroyed? 379 AD?

[Anthony]

Adrianople is one of two "most fought over" spots in the world - the other being Megiddo (Mageddon..........armageddon). Which battle are you referring to? The 4th century battle in which Valens was destroyed? 379 AD?

The Valens disaster in 378 (I know there were lotsof battles there, but to me, nothing says Adrianople like Valens).

Even after the Spartan decline and Roman conquest, Sparta retained its unique customs and became something of a Roman military theme park. So the Spartans though much reduced in number, and not having any wars to fight, still trained for war.

[nicephoras]

Well, that's down comme's road, if so. I don't have specific knowledge of Sparta's performance in that battle.
As I recall, Valens's incredibly stupid decision to try and snatch the glory away from his brother Valentinian and engage on his own. His skirmishers got stuck in a poor position and in an attempt to rescue the situation he went down to the worst Roman defeat since Arausio. It was the first significant Roman military defeat in Roman territory since Arausio or the Hannibalic wars.
Ammianus Marcellinus is one of our sources for this, I believe.

[Anthony]

Well, that's down comme's road, if so. I don't have specific knowledge of Sparta's performance in that battle.

As I understand it, the Spartans did not particpate in the battle itself, but in some sort of coda to the battle.

Thanks.

[comme]

I'm afraid this is long after my period.

If we'd been talking 378 BC then I could have contributed.

[MikeLastort2]

I'm afraid this is long after my period.

If we'd been talking 378 BC then I could have contributed.

Wow, you're really old.

:)