Eastern Mediterranean 270: Sack of Bostra

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Political map of the Eastern Mediterranean on 16 Apr 270 (Crisis of the Third Century: Sack of Bostra), showing the following events: Death of Gallienus; Battle of Naissus; Sack of Bostra.

In September 268, while suppressing Aureolus’ revolt, Gallienus was assassinated by his generals. He was succeeded by the general Claudius, who proceeded to secure Italy and the Balkans. However, while the Romans were preoccuied with the situation in Europe, Zenobia of Palmyra, the widow of Gallienus’ ally Odaenathus, seized Bostra, capital of Roman Arabia.

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Main Events

Sep 268 Death of Gallienus ▲

While besieging the rebel Aureolus in Mediolanum (Milan) in early September 268, Gallienus was alerted that Aureolus and his army were approaching. Hastily riding out to rally his troops to battle, he was intercepted by conspirators and assassinated. The plot seems to have been orchestrated by his praetorian prefect Heraclianus and his generals Claudius Gothicus and Aurelian. Despite this, upon becoming Emperor, Claudius persuaded the Senate to deify Gallienus. in wikipedia

269 Battle of Naissus ▲

In 268/269 vast numbers of Goths, Gepids, Heruli, and other tribes, accompanied by their families, crossed the Roman border to join those already in the Balkans and by mid 269 they were threatening Thessalonica and Marcianopolis. In response, Claudius moved east with his army, luring the Goths into an ambush at Naissus and allegedly killing or capturing some 50,000. The survivors fled to Mons Haemus (the Balkan Mountains) where the Romans besieged them until famine and plague forced the remnant Goths to come to terms, accepting conscription into the Roman army or resettlement on Roman land. in wikipedia

Apr–?? 270 Sack of Bostra ▲

In the spring of 270 forces under Zenobia of Palmyra’s general, Zabdas, crossed into the Roman province of Arabia, defeating and killing the local commander Trassus near Bostra. The Palmyrenes then sacked Bostra, destroying the temple of Jupiter Hammon, before proceeding south to secure Petra. The emperor Claudius, who was still engaged with the Goths at this point, apparently made no response to this aggression. in wikipedia

270 270s April April 16 Goths Italy Jordan maps Moesia Palmyra Roman civil wars Roman Empire Syria

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