Battle of Naissus — Claudius Gothicus Crushes the Goths
The Goths had been probing the Danubian frontier for decades when a massive force under King Cniva crossed into Roman territory in 268 CE. Claudius, who had seized the throne after murdering the emperor Gallienus, needed an immediate military success. The battle at Naissus in the Morava valley of what is now Serbia was probably the largest engagement of the third-century crisis. Claudius drew the Gothic forces into a valley, then sent cavalry around the flanks. Thousands of Goths were killed, thousands more captured. Ancient sources claim 50,000 Gothic dead — probably exaggerated but reflecting the scale of the victory. Cassius Dio's number aside, the archaeological and historical evidence is clear: the Gothic threat to the Balkans was severely set back. Claudius took the victory title 'Gothicus Maximus.' He died of plague in 270 CE — an emperor who had barely had time to demonstrate his abilities. He was deified and remembered as one of the best emperors of the chaotic third century. Constantine later claimed descent from him, whether truthfully or not.
- Year: 269 CE
- Category: Military
