Julian's decisive victory over the Alamanni at Strasbourg restored Roman control of the Rhine frontier and enabled reconstruction of the defensive line in Gaul.
Key Facts
- Year fought
- AD 357
- Roman commander
- Julian (Caesar of the West)
- Alamanni leader
- King Chnodomar
- Roman outcome
- Decisive victory
- Campaign context
- Part of Julian's 355–357 Gallic campaigns
- Ancient site name
- Argentoratum
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Roman civil war of 350–353, the Rhine defensive line was largely destroyed, allowing Alamanni tribal groups to ravage Gaul. Julian was dispatched as Caesar of the West in 355 to evict these barbarian marauders and restore Roman authority along the Rhine frontier.
In August 357, Julian's small but elite imperial escort army met the Alamanni confederation led by paramount King Chnodomar near Argentoratum (modern Strasbourg). Despite being possibly outnumbered, the Romans won a decisive victory through the skill of their infantry, driving the Alamanni back across the Rhine with heavy losses while sustaining negligible casualties themselves.
Following the victory, Julian was able to repair and garrison the Rhine fortifications and impose tributary status on the Germanic tribes beyond the border, effectively restoring the Roman defensive frontier in the region.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Julian.
Side B
1 belligerent
Chnodomar.