Editing Battle of Abritus (section)

== Background ==
[[File:GothicInvasions250-251-en.svg|left|thumb|300px|Map of the invasions and the location of the battle]]

Soon after Decius ascended to the throne in 249, barbarian tribes invaded the Roman provinces of [[Roman Dacia|Dacia]], [[Moesia Superior]], and [[Moesia Inferior]]. Two factors had contributed to growing unrest in the area north of the Danube. First, Decius' predecessor [[Philip the Arab]] had refused to continue payments, initiated by Emperor [[Maximinus Thrax]] in 238, of annual subsidies to the aggressive tribes of the region.<ref>Southern 2001, p.347</ref> Second and more important, there were continuous movements of new peoples since the time of Emperor [[Severus Alexander]].<ref>Potter 2004, p.244</ref> Decius may also have taken with him troops from the Danube frontier, in order to depose Philip in 249. He probably had with him three legions: [[legio XIV Gemina]] from [[Carnuntum]], [[legio IV Flavia Felix]] from [[Singidunum]], and [[legio VII Claudia]] from [[Viminacium]] and/or their [[vexillationes]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.academia.edu/13213004|title=The Battle of Abrittus, the Imperial Treasury and Aurei in Barbaricum, Numismatic Chronicle 173, 2013, p 161}}</ref>

The resultant military vacuum would inevitably attract invaders.<ref>Southern 2001, p.222. Wolfram 1988, p.45</ref>

In 250 a tribal coalition under Cniva crossed the Roman [[Danube]] frontier, probably advancing in two columns. Whether these were consisted only of Goths is rather unlikely so the name "Scythians" by which the Greek sources called them (a geographical definition) seems more appropriate.<ref>D. S. Potter prefers to call them "Scythians", since the 4th century "Goths" cannot be easily connected with their supposed ancestors 100 years above. See Potter 2004, p.246</ref> It is quite possible that other people of Germanic and Sarmatian origin (like [[Bastarnae]], [[Taifals]], and [[Hasdingi|Hasdingian Vandals]]), perhaps Roman deserters as well, had joined the invaders.<ref name = Wolfram1/> However, the name of the king is indeed Gothic and probably genuine.<ref name=Potter1a>Potter 2004, p.245. He suggest that, since the name Cniva doesn't appear in the fictionalized genealogy of Gothic kings by Jordanes, the latter found it in a genuine 3rd century source.</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Carpians|Carpi]] invaded Dacia, eastern [[Moesia Superior]], and western Moesia Inferior.<ref name = CAH/>

The first column of Cniva's army, a detachment of about 20,000 or so likely led by the chieftains Argaith and Gunteric, besieged [[Marcianopolis]], without success it seems.<ref>Potter 2004, p.46 and, in more detail, Wolfram 1988, pp.45,397. Although Jordanes (''Getica'', 91) places these chieftains under the command of Cniva's predecessor (a certain [[Ostrogotha]]), Wolfram and other scholars argue that it is plausible to regard their campaign as part of Cniva's invasion</ref> Then they probably headed south to besiege Philippopolis (now [[Plovdiv]] in Bulgaria). Cniva's main column of 70,000 under the King himself crossed the Danube at [[Oescus]] then headed eastwards to [[Novae (fortress)|Novae]], where he was repelled by the provincial governor (and future emperor) [[Trebonianus Gallus]].<ref>Jordanes, par.101.</ref><ref name=CAH>''The Cambridge Ancient History'', vol XII, 38</ref> Then the invaders headed south to plunder [[Nicopolis ad Istrum]] where Decius [[Battle of Nicopolis ad Istrum|defeated]] them but not decisively.<ref>Bird 1994, p.129</ref>

After these initial setbacks, the barbarians moved southwards through [[Balkan Mountains|Haemus mountain]] and Decius pursued them (likely through the [[Shipka Pass#Shipka Pass|Shipka Pass]]) to save Philippopolis.<ref name = Wolfram2/> This time Decius' army was taken by surprise while resting at [[Stara Zagora|Beroe]]/Augusta Traiana. The Romans were heavily defeated in the ensuing [[Battle of Beroe]]. Decius was forced to withdraw his army to the north at Oescus, leaving Cniva ample time to ravage Moesia and finally capture Philippopolis in the summer of 251, in part with the help of its commander, a certain [[Titus Julius Priscus]] who had proclaimed himself Emperor.<ref>Wolfram 1988, p.46, suggests summer of 250 as the date of the fall of Philippopolis and spring of 251 as the earliest date for the beginning of Cniva's returning to his base</ref> It seems that Priscus, after receiving the news of the defeat at Beroe, thought that the Goths would spare him and the city. He was wrong and was probably killed when the city fell.<ref  name=Southern1>Southern 2001, p.222. Bird 1994, p.129</ref> Then some of Cniva's forces began returning to their homeland, laden with booty and captives, among them many of senatorial rank.<ref name = Wolfram2/>

In the meantime, Decius had returned with his re-organized army, consisting of 80,000 men according to [[Dexippus]], accompanied by his son Herennius Etruscus and the general [[Trebonianus Gallus]], intending to defeat the invaders and recover the booty.{{sfn|de Blois|2017|p=47}} Decius had lost a force of [[auxilia]]ry soldiers due to their "wrongdoing", according to Dexippus.{{sfn|de Blois|2017|p=47}} Archaeology has revealed the presence of three legions at the battle.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.academia.edu/13213004|title=The Battle of Abrittus, the Imperial Treasury and Aurei in Barbaricum, Numismatic Chronicle 173, 2013, p 161}}</ref>