Battle of Pydna (148 BC) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Pydna (148 BC)
Part of the Fourth Macedonian War
The fields of Pydna, where the battle took place
Date 148 BC Location Near ancient Pydna 40°22′0.001″N 22°34′59.999″E / 40.36666694°N 22.58333306°E / 40.36666694; 22.58333306 Result Roman victory Final Roman conquest of Macedon
Belligerents
Rome	Macedon
Commanders and leaders
Quintus Caecilius Metellus	Andriscus (Phillip VI)
Strength
2 legions and allies (c. 20,000 men) Unknown number of cavalry	Unknown but comparable
Casualties and losses
Light	Heavy

The Battle of Pydna was an important fight that happened in 148 BC. It was between the powerful Romans and the army of a Macedonian leader named Andriscus. The Roman army was led by a general named Quintus Caecilius Metellus. The Romans won this battle.

This battle was a big part of the Fourth Macedonian War. It marked the end of Macedon's power as a military force. The war started because Andriscus claimed to be the son of a former king. He defeated Roman allies in Macedon and made himself king. He even beat a Roman army sent to stop him and invaded parts of Greece.

The Roman Senate then sent a larger army led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus. Metellus attacked by both land and sea. This forced Andriscus to defend himself near Pydna. Metellus attacked and completely defeated Andriscus's army. This victory decided the war. Andriscus had to run away from Macedon. The Romans chased and caught him before he could gather another strong army. After this, Rome took direct control of Macedon, making it a Roman province.

Why Did the Battle of Pydna Happen?

Andriscus was a man who worked with cloth, but he claimed to be the son of Perseus of Macedon, a former king. He wanted to rule Macedon. At first, he didn't succeed. But then he invaded Macedon with an army from Thrace. He had amazing success! He defeated Rome's allies near the Strymon river. He then crowned himself King of Macedon.

Andriscus even took over Thessaly and destroyed a Roman army sent to stop him. He killed the Roman commander, Publius Juventius Thalna, in that battle. However, he couldn't go further into Greece. Forces from the Achaean League and remaining Roman soldiers stopped him. Andriscus also made friends with Carthage, which was fighting Rome in the Third Punic War.

Rome was worried. So, the Roman Senate sent a second, bigger army. This army had two legions and was led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus. Metellus chose a different path to enter Macedon. He moved along the coast of Thessaly. He also had help from the fleet of Attalus II Philadelphus from Pergamon. Andriscus didn't want Metellus to take over the coastal areas. So, he met Metellus's army at Pydna.

Who Fought in the Battle?

The Roman Army

The Roman army likely used their usual battle formation. This was called triplex acies. It had three lines of soldiers. The hastati were in the front. The principes were in the middle. The triarii were in the back. Light troops called velites would skirmish (fight in small groups) at the start. Roman and allied cavalry (soldiers on horseback) protected the sides of the army.

Metellus's army was a full consular army. It had two legions and their allies. This meant about 20,000 soldiers. The Roman Senate wanted to be sure of victory. They didn't want to take any chances after their earlier defeat.

The Macedonian Army

We don't know as much about Andriscus's Macedonian army at Pydna. We know he started his campaign with soldiers from Thrace. These were usually light, fast-moving troops. We don't know what kind of soldiers made up the main part of his army. It's not clear if they fought in the traditional Macedonian phalanx (a tight block of soldiers with long spears) or in a looser way. Andriscus also had a good number of cavalry. We don't know the exact size of his army. But it was large enough for him to feel confident. He even sent some of his troops away just before the battle.

How the Battle Unfolded

The first part of the battle was a fight between the cavalry. Andriscus's cavalry did better at first. This made him feel very confident. So confident, in fact, that he sent some of his soldiers away. He might have done this because of food supplies. Or maybe he wanted to attack the Roman army from behind.

Metellus saw this as a chance to attack with all his strength. He engaged the Macedonian army. The fight was short. The Macedonians were completely defeated. Andriscus and the soldiers who survived had to run away. It's possible that some of Andriscus's troops switched sides during the battle. If this is true, it might have been led by Telestes. He was the general Andriscus put in charge of his cavalry. The rich Macedonian cavalry joined Telestes. This is because the wealthier people supported the Romans more than Andriscus. This might have been what decided the battle.

What Happened After the Battle?

The battle was a disaster for Andriscus. He had lost his main army and had to flee Macedon. Andriscus quickly gathered a new army in Thrace. But Metellus chased him very fast. He defeated these new forces before they were fully ready. Andriscus tried to find safety with a Thracian chief named Byzes. But Byzes betrayed him to Metellus. Metellus arrested Andriscus. He then put down a few more small rebellions in Macedon. This finally ended the war.

Metellus then reorganized Macedon. He made it a Roman province (a territory controlled by Rome). He was appointed as its first governor. Later, he was called to help in another war in Greece, the Achaean War. After that, he returned to Rome. There, he celebrated a triumph. This was a big parade to celebrate his victory. Andriscus was paraded through the streets and later executed.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Pidna (148 a. C.) para niños

• Battle of Pydna
• History of Macedonia (ancient kingdom)