Battle of Ilipa
(206 BCE)
In 206 BCE on the fields of south-eastern Spain, near the present-day town of Alcalá del Río, located 14 km north of Seville, the most brilliantly maneuverable battle of the Second Punic War took place - battle of Ilipa.
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Battles of ancient Rome
Ancient Rome, a highly expansionistic empire, was involved in many wars. Led by brilliant generals, highly trained and superbly equipped Roman forces could win against an enemy army twice as strong in numbers. There were, of course, some defeats, like the battles of Cannae or Teutoburg Forest.
The Roman armies have already confirmed their imperial status at the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, by massacring the Macedonian army at Cynoscephalae in Thessaly, in 197 BCE. Seven years later Roman legions defeated, at Magnesia in Asia Minor, armies of the Seleucid, considered the prime power of the Hellenic world. Thus the legions proved themselves the finest army in the region. The decline of legions’ power became apparent in the 3rd century of the Common Era. Eventually, the ‘Germanisation’ of the Roman army and consequential loss of fighting prowess resulted in the fall of both army and the Roman state.
Battle of Dyrrachium
(48 BCE)
Even the greatest of strategy geniuses needs a handful of luck to win. Gaius Julius Caesar, who is still considered one of the greatest generals in history, was not invincible. At one point in the civil war against Pompey, Caesar was only saved from defeat by a miraculous coincidence. How is it possible that this "god of war" came within a hair's breadth of tragedy? What decision saved him at the last minute?
Battle of Great Plains
(203 BCE)
The fighting of the Second Punic War had been going on for over a decade. The scales of victory were tipping to the Roman side. In Italy, after his first victories, Hannibal became entangled in arduous fights which he could not win. In Spain and Sicily, the Romans defeated the Punians. To successfully end the war, the Sons of the Wolf had to attack Carthage on its territory.
Siege of Jerusalem
(70 CE)
Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE) was a key clash of the Jewish war. After a long siege, the Romans captured the city. Titus Flavius showed no mercy and allowed for the murders and plunder of the city.
Battle of Aegates
(10 March 241 BCE)
Battle of Aegates (241 BCE) was the defeat of Carthage, which finally sealed the fate of its army in Sicily and the defeat in the First Punic War against the Romans.
Battle of Cape Ecnomos
(256 BCE)
Sea battle near Cape Ecnomos (256 BCE) was fought between the Roman fleet and the Carthaginian fleet during the First Punic War. The Roman side won.
Battle of Catalaunian Plains
(451 CE)
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (451 CE) took place between the Western Roman Empire and the Huns. It ended with a victory for Rome.
Battle of Zela
(47 BCE)
Battle of Zela (47 BCE) took place during the struggle of the Romans with the king of Pontus Pharnakes II. Ultimately, Caesar achieved a significant victory, and the entire campaign lasted 5 days.
Battle of Chaeronea and Orchomenos
(86 BCE)
Battle of Chaeronea and Orchomenos (86 BCE) were another clashes in Greece, in which Roman troops defeated the Pontic army and stopped the expansion of the growing, ambitious Mithridates VI.
Battle of Immae
(272 CE)
Battle of Immae (272 CE) was a clash between Roman troops and the army of Zenobia, queen of Palmyra. The Roman side won.
