Editing Julian (emperor) (section)

===Campaigns against Germanic kingdoms===
During his first campaign in 356, Julian led an army to the Rhine, where he engaged the inhabitants and recovered several towns that had fallen into [[Franks|Frankish]] hands, including [[Colonia Agrippina]] ([[Cologne]]). With success under his belt he withdrew for the winter to Gaul, distributing his forces to protect various towns, and choosing the small town of [[Senon]] near [[Verdun#History|Verdun]] to await the spring.{{efn-lr|Most sources give the town as [[Sens]], which is well into the interior of Gaul. See John F. Drinkwater{{sfn|Drinkwater|2007|p=220}}}} This turned out to be a tactical error, for he was left with insufficient forces to defend himself when a large contingent of Franks besieged the town and Julian was virtually held captive there for several months, until his general [[Marcellus (Magister Equitum)|Marcellus]] deigned to lift the siege. Relations between Julian and Marcellus seem to have been poor. Constantius accepted Julian's report of events and Marcellus was replaced as ''[[magister equitum]]'' by Severus.{{sfn|Hunt|1998|p=49}}{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=501}}

The following year saw a combined operation planned by Constantius to regain control of the Rhine from the Germanic peoples who had spilt across the river onto the west bank. From the south his ''[[magister peditum]]'' [[Barbatio]] was to come from Milan and amass forces at [[Kaiseraugst|Augst]] (near the Rhine bend), then set off north with 25,000 soldiers; Julian with 13,000 troops would move east from [[Durocortorum]] ([[Rheims]]). However, while Julian was in transit, a group of [[Laeti]] attacked [[Lugdunum]] ([[Lyon]]) and Julian was delayed in order to deal with them. This left Barbatio unsupported and deep in [[Alamanni]] territory, so he felt obliged to withdraw, retracing his steps. Thus ended the coordinated operation against the Germanic peoples.{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=501}}{{sfn|Hunt|1998|p=50–51}}

With Barbatio safely out of the picture, King [[Chnodomarius]] led a confederation of Alamanni forces against Julian and Severus at the [[Battle of Argentoratum]]. The Romans were heavily outnumbered{{efn-lr|Ammianus says that there were 35,000 Alamanni, ''Res Gestae'', 16.12.26, though this figure is now thought to be an overestimate – see David S. Potter{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=501}}}} and during the heat of battle a group of 600 horsemen on the right wing deserted,<ref>D. Woods, "On the 'Standard-Bearers' at Strasbourg: Libanius, or. 18.58–66", ''Mnemosyne, Fourth Series'', Vol. 50, Fasc. 4 (August 1997), p. 479.</ref> yet, taking full advantage of the limitations of the terrain, the Romans were overwhelmingly victorious. The enemy was routed and driven into the river. King Chnodomarius was captured and later sent to Constantius in [[Mediolanum]].{{sfn|Potter|2004|p=501–502}}{{sfn|Hunt|1998|p=51}} [[Ammianus Marcellinus|Ammianus]], who was a participant in the battle, portrays Julian in charge of events on the battlefield<ref>Ammianus Marcellinus ''Res Gestae'', 16.12.27ff, 38ff, 55</ref> and describes how the soldiers, because of this success, acclaimed Julian attempting to make him [[Augustus (honorific)|Augustus]], an acclamation he rejected, rebuking them. He later rewarded them for their valor.<ref>Ammianus Marcellinus ''Res Gestae'', 16.12.64–65</ref>

Rather than chase the routed enemy across the Rhine, Julian now proceeded to follow the Rhine north, the route he followed the previous year on his way back to Gaul. At [[Moguntiacum]] ([[Mainz]]), however, he crossed the Rhine in an expedition that penetrated deep into what is today Germany, and forced three local kingdoms to submit. This action showed the Alamanni that Rome was once again present and active in the area. On his way back to winter quarters in Paris he dealt with a band of Franks who had taken control of some abandoned forts along the river [[Meuse]].{{sfn|Hunt|1998|p=51}}{{sfn|Drinkwater|2007|p=240–241}}

In 358, Julian gained victories over the [[Salian Franks]] on the [[Lower Rhine]], settling them in [[Toxandria]] in the Roman Empire, north of today's city of [[Tongeren]], and over the Chamavi, who were expelled back to [[Hamaland]].