Battle of the Willows facts for kids

The Battle of the Willows was a big fight that happened in 377 AD. It took place in a spot called Ad Salices, which means "by the Willows." We don't know the exact location today, but it was likely in what is now Bulgaria. This battle was part of a larger conflict called the Gothic War.

In this battle, the Roman Empire fought against the Goths. The Goths had recently rebelled and were causing trouble in the northern Balkans. Both sides had many soldiers, and the fight was very intense.

What Was the Battle of the Willows?

The Battle of the Willows was a major clash between the Roman Empire and the Goths. It happened in 377 AD. The Goths were led by Fritigern. The Roman forces were commanded by generals like Richomeres, Traianus, and Profuturus. The battle was named after the place where it happened, Ad Salices.

Who Fought in the Battle?

On one side were the Goths. They were a powerful group of people who had moved into Roman lands. Their main leader in this battle was Fritigern. He also had other commanders like Sueridas and Colias. The Goths had about 10,000 fighters.

On the other side was the mighty Roman Empire. Their army was split into two main groups. One group came from the Western Roman Empire, led by Richomeres. The other group was from the Eastern Roman Empire, led by Traianus and Profuturus. The Romans had between 5,000 and 6,000 soldiers.

Where and When Did It Happen?

The battle took place in 377 AD. The exact spot is still a mystery. Historians believe it was near a town called Marcianople. This area is now part of Dobrudja, in modern-day Bulgaria. The name Ad Salices suggests there were many willow trees nearby.

How Did the Battle Unfold?

Most of what we know about this battle comes from a historian named Ammianus. He didn't give many details about the fighting itself. He mostly wrote about the many soldiers who were hurt or died.

The Roman armies joined together before the battle. They planned to attack the Goths. The Goths had set up a strong camp. During the fight, one part of the Roman army, their left side, almost broke apart. But they quickly got more soldiers and held their ground.

The Outcome of the Fight

The battle was very fierce and lasted until nightfall. Neither side truly won the battle. It was a bloody draw, meaning both the Goths and the Romans suffered heavy losses. Many soldiers were killed or wounded on both sides.

After the battle, the Goths stayed in their camp for more than a week. Their camp was protected by a circle of war-wagons. This battle showed how strong both armies were. It also showed that neither side could easily defeat the other.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Ad Salices para niños

• Gothic War (376–382) – Learn more about the larger war this battle was part of.