Battle of Placentia (271)

Battle of Placentia
Part of the Roman-Alamanni conflict
Date January 271 Location near modern Piacenza, Italy Result Alamanni victory
Belligerents
Alamanni	Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Aurelian
Strength
10,000 warriors	10,000 legionaries 5,000 auxiliary troops
Casualties and losses
2000-3000 dead and wounded	6000 dead 4000 wounded

The Battle of Placentia was fought in January 271 between a Roman army led by Emperor Aurelian and the Alamanni (actually the Juthungi tribe), near modern Piacenza.

The Alamanni had invaded Italia, counting on the absence of the Roman Army, and sacked the city of Placentia. Emperor Aurelian, who was in Pannonia with an army to control the withdrawal of the Vandals, quickly moved into Italia. The Alamanni surprised the Roman Army with an ambush, and the Emperor was defeated.

The news of this defeat produced great fear in Rome, and the Alamanni continued to move towards the capital, which had grown far beyond its old walls. The Sibylline Books were consulted, and religious ceremonies performed to call for the gods' help. The Romans escaped disaster when Emperor Aurelian soundly defeated the Alamanni at the Battle of Fano, leading to great celebration throughout the city.

References

• Watson, Alaric (1999). Aurelian and the Third Century. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-07248-4.