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.
Persian Wars: Battle of Marathon
Occurring in August/September 490 BC, the Battle of Marathon saw an inferior Greek force defeat a much larger Persian army. Fought on the Plains of Marathon, the Greeks boldly attacked and caught the Persians in a double envelopment. Battling on three sides, the Persian ranks broke and they fled the field.
Occurring in August/September 490 BC, the Battle of Marathon saw an inferior Greek force defeat a much larger Persian army. Fought on the Plains of Marathon, the Greeks boldly attacked and caught the Persians in a double envelopment. Battling on three sides, the Persian ranks broke and they fled the field.
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.
Wars of the Alexander the Great: Battle of Chaeronea
The Battle of Chaeronea occurred in 338 BC when King Philip II of Macedon confronted a mixed Greek army. Clashing on a plain near Chaeronea, the battle was hotly contested until the king's son, the future Alexander the Great, led the decisive charge which broke the Greek lines.
The Battle of Chaeronea occurred in 338 BC when King Philip II of Macedon confronted a mixed Greek army. Clashing on a plain near Chaeronea, the battle was hotly contested until the king's son, the future Alexander the Great, led the decisive charge which broke the Greek lines.
Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia
Fought on December 18, 218 BC, the Battle of the Trebia was the first major battle of the Second Punic War. Marching into northern Italy, Hannibal inflicted a devastating defeat upon Roman forces. The defeat at the Battle of the Trebia caused Rome to adjust their war strategy to meet the new threat from the north.
Fought on December 18, 218 BC, the Battle of the Trebia was the first major battle of the Second Punic War. Marching into northern Italy, Hannibal inflicted a devastating defeat upon Roman forces. The defeat at the Battle of the Trebia caused Rome to adjust their war strategy to meet the new threat from the north.
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.
Punic Wars: Battle of Zama
The Battle of Zama was fought between Rome and Carthage in late October 202 BC. Clashing at Zama in North Africa, the army of Hannibal was defeated by the Romans led by Scipio Africanus. The defeat at the Battle of Zama forced the Carthaginians to sue for peace and ended the Second Punic War.
The Battle of Zama was fought between Rome and Carthage in late October 202 BC. Clashing at Zama in North Africa, the army of Hannibal was defeated by the Romans led by Scipio Africanus. The defeat at the Battle of Zama forced the Carthaginians to sue for peace and ended the Second Punic War.
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.
Gallic Wars: Battle of Alesia
The Battle of Alesia took place in the fall of 52 BC as Julius Caesar laid siege to the Mandubii settlement at Alesia in Gaul. Building an extensive set of fortifications around Alesia, Caesar beat off attacks from Vercingetorix's garrison as well as a relief army. The victory at Alesia effectively secured Gaul for Rome.
The Battle of Alesia took place in the fall of 52 BC as Julius Caesar laid siege to the Mandubii settlement at Alesia in Gaul. Building an extensive set of fortifications around Alesia, Caesar beat off attacks from Vercingetorix's garrison as well as a relief army. The victory at Alesia effectively secured Gaul for Rome.
Caesar's Civil War: Battle of Pharsalus
The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive engagement of Caesar's Civil War. Fought August 9, 48 BC, at Pharsalus, Greece, the battle saw Julius Caesar defeat troops under Pompey. The battle turned when some of Caesar's troops defeated a cavalry attack and were able assault the enemy in the flank and rear.
The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive engagement of Caesar's Civil War. Fought August 9, 48 BC, at Pharsalus, Greece, the battle saw Julius Caesar defeat troops under Pompey. The battle turned when some of Caesar's troops defeated a cavalry attack and were able assault the enemy in the flank and rear.
Caesar's Civil War: Battle of Munda
Fought in March 45 BC, the Battle of Munda was the final battle of Julius Caesar's civil war. Clashing in southern Spain, Caesar was able to overcome the Optimates in heavy fighting. The victory at the Battle of Munda allowed Caesar to return to Rome to rule as dictator.
Fought in March 45 BC, the Battle of Munda was the final battle of Julius Caesar's civil war. Clashing in southern Spain, Caesar was able to overcome the Optimates in heavy fighting. The victory at the Battle of Munda allowed Caesar to return to Rome to rule as dictator.
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.
Gothic War: Battle of Adrianople
Clashing at the Battle of Adrianople on August 9, 378, the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire were defeated by the Goths. Fighting north of Adrianople, the Romans attacked the Gothic camp and were repulsed. The resulting counterattack drove them from the field and effectively destroyed their army.
Clashing at the Battle of Adrianople on August 9, 378, the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire were defeated by the Goths. Fighting north of Adrianople, the Romans attacked the Gothic camp and were repulsed. The resulting counterattack drove them from the field and effectively destroyed their army.
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.
Muslim Invasions: Battle of Tours
The Battle of Tours was fought in 732, between the Carolingian Franks and the forces of the Muslim Umayyad Caliphate. Clashing between Tours and Poitiers, the battle resulted in a victory for Charles Martel and the Franks. The Christian triumph at the Battle of Tours stemmed the tide of Muslim expansion into Western Europe.
The Battle of Tours was fought in 732, between the Carolingian Franks and the forces of the Muslim Umayyad Caliphate. Clashing between Tours and Poitiers, the battle resulted in a victory for Charles Martel and the Franks. The Christian triumph at the Battle of Tours stemmed the tide of Muslim expansion into Western Europe.
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.