Eastern Mediterranean 267: Gothic–Herulian Invasion of Greece

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Political map of the Eastern Mediterranean on 21 Oct 267 (Crisis of the Third Century: Gothic–Herulian Invasion of Greece), showing the following events: Odaenathus’ Second Persian Campaign; Gothic–Herulian Invasion of Greece; Assassination of Odaenathus.

In 267, while the Roman emperor Gallienus focused on the rebel regime in Gaul and his ally Odaenathus was facing off against the Persians, the Goths, accompanied by the Heruli and other tribes, launched their largest invasion of the Roman Empire to date. Marching and sailing south down the Black Sea coast, they raided the Aegean before invading Greece and sacking Athens.

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Main Events

266–267 Odaenathus’ Second Persian Campaign ▲

In 266, with the likely backing of Gallienus, Odaenathus launched a second invasion of the Persian Empire. He reached as far as Ctesiphon, and according to some sources captured it. However, news of the Gothic and Heruli invasions in the Aegean persuaded him to end the campaign and march for Anatolia. in wikipedia

267 Gothic–Herulian Invasion of Greece ▲

In 267 the Goths, Heruli, and other tribes moved down the western coast of the Black Sea in huge numbers by land and sea, attempting to take Byzantium and Cyzicus. When this offensive was broken up by the Roman navy, the invaders split into groups, with the Goths attacking Macedonia, the Heruli landing in Achaea, and both parties raiding the Greek islands. The Heruli were particularly successful, sacking Athens, Corinth, and Sparta despite recently constructed city walls. in wikipedia

267 Assassination of Odaenathus ▲

In 267 Odaenathus of Palmyra and his eldest son Herodes were murdered in the East, possibly at Emesa, by his nephew Maeonius. The dispute was said to have been started by a slight at a hunt. Odaenathus was officially succeeded by his prepubescent son Vaballathus, but Vaballathus’ mother, Odaenathus’ widow Zenobia, immediately assumed authority. in wikipedia

260s 267 Asia Minor Bulgaria Goths Greece Heruli Iran Iraq Macedonia maps October October 21 Palmyra Phrygia Roman Empire Thrace

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