Battle of Brumath

The Battle of Brumath in 356 AD was part of Roman Emperor Julian's campaigns against the Germanic tribes. Following the Battle of Reims, Julian's forces pursued several Germanic war bands through the Gallic countryside. Outside Brocomagus (Brumath), one war band met Julian in open battle and the Romans were victorious.

Hearing therefore that Strasburg, Brumath, Saverne, Seltz, Speyer, Worms, and Mayence were held by the savages, who were living on their lands (for the towns themselves they avoid as if they were tombs surrounded by nets), he first of all seized Brumath, but while he was still approaching it a band of Germans met him and offered battle. Julian drew up his forces in the form of a crescent, and when the fight began to come to close quarters, the enemy were overwhelmed by a double danger; some were captured, others were slain in the very heat of the battle, and rest got away, saved by recourse to speed.[1]

Battle of Brumath
Part of Roman-Alamanni conflict
Bas-Rhin (Lower Rhine) seen from Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg
Date 356 AD Location Brocomagus, Gallia Lugdunensis modern Bas-Rhin, Alsace,  France Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Western Roman Empire	Alamanni
Commanders and leaders
Julian	Unknown
Strength
13,000	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Although casualties were not numerous,[2] the Germanic defeat was sufficiently great to have a deterrent effect on other tribal groups in the area, and to partially restore order.[3]

Following Brumath, Julian went on to re-occupy Cologne (Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium), and then went into winter quarters in Senonae, modern Sens, where he was besieged by Frankish forces.

References

1. Ammianus, Marcellinus; Rolfe, J.C. (tr). The History XIV 2 12–13. Loeb Classical Library. p. 209. Retrieved Mar 23, 2019.
2. Goldsworthy, In the Name of Rome, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2003
3. Goldsworthy, In the Name of Rome, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2003,