Battles & Wars: Ancient History to 1000
From the Battle of Megiddo through Charlemagne, here we examine wars and battles from the ancient world to 1000.
Egypt: Battle of Megiddo
On May 9, 1457 BC, Egyptian troops led by Pharaoh Thutmose III defeated a rebel army led by the King of Kadesh at the Battle of Megiddo. Marching north into Palestine, Thutmose surprised the rebels by passing through the Aruna Valley. Emerging near Megiddo, his troops routed the rebels in a battle outside the city walls.
On May 9, 1457 BC, Egyptian troops led by Pharaoh Thutmose III defeated a rebel army led by the King of Kadesh at the Battle of Megiddo. Marching north into Palestine, Thutmose surprised the rebels by passing through the Aruna Valley. Emerging near Megiddo, his troops routed the rebels in a battle outside the city walls.
Roman Republic: Battle of the Allia
The Battle of Allia was fought between the Roman Republic and the Gauls in 390 BC. Outnumbered, the Romans tried to make a stand along the Allia River, but were routed by Gallic forces.
The Battle of Allia was fought between the Roman Republic and the Gauls in 390 BC. Outnumbered, the Romans tried to make a stand along the Allia River, but were routed by Gallic forces.
Second Punic War: Battle of Cannae
The Battle of Cannae was one of the key engagements of the Second Punic War. Meeting the Romans in southeast Italy, the Carthaginians under Hannibal executed a massive double-envelopment, surrounding and destroying the opposing army. Though the Battle of Cannae did not end the war, it was one of the greatest battlefield triumphs of all time.
The Battle of Cannae was one of the key engagements of the Second Punic War. Meeting the Romans in southeast Italy, the Carthaginians under Hannibal executed a massive double-envelopment, surrounding and destroying the opposing army. Though the Battle of Cannae did not end the war, it was one of the greatest battlefield triumphs of all time.
Third Macedonian War: Battle of Pydna
In 168 BC, Macedonian and Roman forces clashed at the Battle of Pydna. The fighting at Pydna showed the superiority of the legion over the phalanx and resulted in a crushing victory for Rome. Following the defeat at the Battle of Pynda, Macedonina power was broken and the country conquered.
In 168 BC, Macedonian and Roman forces clashed at the Battle of Pydna. The fighting at Pydna showed the superiority of the legion over the phalanx and resulted in a crushing victory for Rome. Following the defeat at the Battle of Pynda, Macedonina power was broken and the country conquered.
Wars of the Second Triumvirate: Battle of Philippi
In October 42 BC, Brutus and Cassius, who had conspired to kill Julius Caesar, were engaged by the forces of the Second Triumvirate at the Battle of Philippi. Fought on two separate days, the Battle of Phiippi was a complete victory for the Triumvirate forces led by Octavian and Mark Antony and resulted in the suicides of Brutus and Cassius.
In October 42 BC, Brutus and Cassius, who had conspired to kill Julius Caesar, were engaged by the forces of the Second Triumvirate at the Battle of Philippi. Fought on two separate days, the Battle of Phiippi was a complete victory for the Triumvirate forces led by Octavian and Mark Antony and resulted in the suicides of Brutus and Cassius.
Roman Empire: Battle of the Milvian Bridge
Fought during the power struggle that occurred following the collapse of the Tetrarchy, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge pitted Constantine against the usurper Maxentius. Clashing at Milvian Bridge near Rome, Constantine's forces, fighting under a Christian banner, defeated Maxentius, allowing their leader to take control of the Western Empire.
Fought during the power struggle that occurred following the collapse of the Tetrarchy, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge pitted Constantine against the usurper Maxentius. Clashing at Milvian Bridge near Rome, Constantine's forces, fighting under a Christian banner, defeated Maxentius, allowing their leader to take control of the Western Empire.
Hunnic Invasions: Battle of Chalons
The Battle of Chalons occurred on June 20, 451, in present-day France. Pitting Attila the Hun against Roman forces led by Flavius Aetius, the Battle of Chalons ended in a tactical draw but was a strategic victory for Rome. The victory at Chalons was one of the last achieved by the Western Roman Empire.
The Battle of Chalons occurred on June 20, 451, in present-day France. Pitting Attila the Hun against Roman forces led by Flavius Aetius, the Battle of Chalons ended in a tactical draw but was a strategic victory for Rome. The victory at Chalons was one of the last achieved by the Western Roman Empire.
Muslim Empire: Battle of Siffin
Fought during the First Fitna (Muslim Civil War), the Battle of Siffin was a contest between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muawiyah I for control of the Muslim Empire. After several days of fighting, the battle was inconclusive. As a result, the two sides agreed to arbitration, which did little to ease tensions between the two sides.
Fought during the First Fitna (Muslim Civil War), the Battle of Siffin was a contest between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muawiyah I for control of the Muslim Empire. After several days of fighting, the battle was inconclusive. As a result, the two sides agreed to arbitration, which did little to ease tensions between the two sides.
Charlemagne: Battle of Roncevaux Pass
Fought in northern Spain, the Battle of Roncevaux Pass was a defeat for Charlemagne during one of his Iberian campaigns. The Battle of Roncevaux Pass was an ambush which decimated much of the Frankish rearguard and inspired the poem "The Song of Roland."
Fought in northern Spain, the Battle of Roncevaux Pass was a defeat for Charlemagne during one of his Iberian campaigns. The Battle of Roncevaux Pass was an ambush which decimated much of the Frankish rearguard and inspired the poem "The Song of Roland."
Viking-Saxon Wars: Battle of Ashdown
The Battle of Ashdown was fought January 8, 871, in modern Berkshire, England and involved Viking and Saxon forces. Led by Prince Alfred, the Saxon forces of Wessex were able to defeat the Danes and earn a brief respite in their ongoing conflict. The success at the Battle of Ashdown was short-lived as the Saxons were defeated several times in the weeks that followed.
The Battle of Ashdown was fought January 8, 871, in modern Berkshire, England and involved Viking and Saxon forces. Led by Prince Alfred, the Saxon forces of Wessex were able to defeat the Danes and earn a brief respite in their ongoing conflict. The success at the Battle of Ashdown was short-lived as the Saxons were defeated several times in the weeks that followed.
Battle of Megiddo
The first major victory of Pharaoh Tuthmosis III's long military career, the Battle of Megiddo ended a Canaanite rebellion.
The first major victory of Pharaoh Tuthmosis III's long military career, the Battle of Megiddo ended a Canaanite rebellion.