Eastern Mediterranean 253: Battle of Barbalissos

View full map and options for mobile…
Political map of the Eastern Mediterranean on 12 Aug 253 (Crisis of the Third Century: Battle of Barbalissos), showing the following events: Battle of Abritus; Shapur I’s conquest of Armenia; Revolt of Aemilian; Uranius Antoninus; Battle of Barbalissos.

Following Decius’ death at Abritus, Trebonianus Gallus became Emperor, but lasted just two years (251–53) before being overthrown by Aemilian, commander of the Danube legions. Meanwhile, Shapur I of Persia had annexed Armenia in 252 and soon afterwards launched his second invasion of the Roman Empire, destroying the defending Roman army at Barbalissos in Syria.

[It is uncertain whether Barbalissos was fought in 252 or 253, or even which Roman emperor was in power at the time. However, it seems most likely that it occurred towards the end of Trebonianus Gallus’ reign. The map places it in August 253 to coincide with Aemilian’s invasion of Italy.]

About this map
Download map
(download without labels)
This map has in-depth notes in the Journal, exclusive to Patrons on Classical Tier and above. Find them in the events descriptions, marked with the Journal icon .

Main Events

Jun 251 Battle of Abritus ▲

In June 251 the Roman emperor Decius successfully intercepted Cniva and his Goths near Abritus, Lower Moesia, as they withdrew north with plunder from the sack of Philippopolis. However, when he pursued the Goths through marshy terrain, Decius and most of his men were ambushed and killed—the first death of a Roman emperor at the hands of foreign invaders. Proclaimed Emperor by the survivors, Trebonianus Gallus quickly made peace with the Goths, paying them to withdraw from the Empire with their loot (which now included Decius’ substantial treasury). in wikipedia

252 Shapur I’s conquest of Armenia ▲

In 252 Shah Shapur I invaded Armenia, finally bringing an end to the reign of Tiridates II (217–252). Fleeing the kingdom, Tiridates was given amnesty in Rome—in violation of the 244 Roman agreement not to interfere in Armenian affairs—and thereby granted the Persians a casus belli against the Romans. in wikipedia

253 Revolt of Aemilian ▲

Buoyed by Aemilian’s victories over the Goths, the Danube legions proclaimed him as Emperor in 253. After gathering all the forces in the region, Aemilian marched on Rome. Panicked Trebonianus Gallus called for the support of Valerian, commander of the legions in Germania. in wikipedia

253–254 Uranius Antoninus ▲

In 253, possibly in the aftermath of the Battle of Barbalissos, a certain Uranius Antoninus seized power in Emesa, where he ruled as a priest-king in the name of the god Sol Invictus. Uranius successfully halted the Persian advance against his city, but after that appears to have placated Shapur I by agreeing to become a Persian vassal. He was deposed in 254, probably after Valerian arrived in Syria. in wikipedia

253? Battle of Barbalissos ▲

In 252 or 253 Shah Shapur I of Persia invaded Roman Mesopotamia, using allegations of Roman interference in Armenia as a pretext. An army of as many as 60 thousand Roman troops gathered to defend Syria, but was defeated and destroyed by the Persians at Barbalissos, leaving the Roman provinces in Asia defenceless. in wikipedia

250s 253 Armenia August August 12 Azerbaijan Bulgaria Goths Iran Kartli maps mesopotamia Moesia Pannonia Phoenicia Roman civil wars Roman Empire Syria

Follow us

Join Omniatlas