Battle of Arelate facts for kids

The Battle of Arelate happened in 458 near a city called Arelate (which is now Arles, France). It was a fight between the Western Roman Emperor Majorian and the Visigothic king Theodoric II.

After a powerful Roman general named Flavius Aetius was killed in 454, the Visigothic Kingdom started to grow. They took over more land in Gaul (modern-day France) and Hispania (modern-day Spain and Portugal). The Roman Empire was getting weaker at this time.

When Majorian became emperor in 457, the Visigoths had just beaten the Suebic Kingdom in northern Hispania. They were making their control stronger across the whole peninsula.

Majorian was a young and skilled general, about 30 years old. He became emperor of a Roman Empire that was falling apart. It only included Italy, Dalmatia (part of modern Croatia), and a few scattered areas in northern Gaul. Majorian decided that to make the empire strong again, he first needed to face the Visigoths in a region called Septimania.

He traveled with his generals, Aegidius and Nepotianus. Majorian and his army met the Visigothic king and his army at Arelate, near the mouth of the Rhodanus River (now called the Rhone River).

The battle was a huge defeat for the Goths. King Theodoric II had to run away from Arelate and give up Septimania. He was forced to sign a quick peace treaty. This treaty made the Visigoths give back all the land they had taken in Hispania to the Romans. It also changed their status to federates, which meant they were allies of Rome but had less power.

This victory allowed Majorian to continue his military campaigns. He fought deeper in Gaul against the Burgundian Kingdom and later in Hispania against the Suebic Kingdom.

Quick facts for kids Battle of Arelate
Part of Majorian's campaigns
Date Late 458 CE Location Arelate, Gallia Viennensis II (modern-day Arles, France) 43°40′37″N 4°37′41″E / 43.677°N 4.628°E / 43.677; 4.628 Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Western Roman Empire	Visigothic Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Majorian Aegidius Nepotianus	Theodoric II

See also

• In Spanish: Batalla de Arelate para niños