Battle of Sirmium (489) explained

Conflict:Battle of Sirmium
Date:August 489
Place:Sirmium, Kingdom of the Gepids
Result:Ostrogothic victory
Combatant1:Ostrogoths
Combatant2:Gepids
Commander1:Theodoric the Great
Commander2:Thraustila
Strength1:Unknown
Strength2:Unknown
Casualties1:Unknown
Casualties2:Unknown

The Battle of Sirmium was fought at Sirmium, Kingdom of the Gepids in August 489 between the Gepids and the Ostrogoths under Theodoric the Great. King Theodoric had recently been proclaimed King of Italy by Emperor Zeno, and in 489 began marching his men on route to invade Italy. While on his way to Italy King Thraustila of the Gepids opposed his plan of conquest and met in battle just outside of Sirmium.[1] It is unknown how the exact battle played out, but it is certain that Theodoric defeated the Gepids. Thraustila was most likely killed in the battle or soon after. Theodoric in the same year invaded Italy and successfully overthrew Odoacer in 493. Tension continued to grow between the Gepids and the Ostrogoths, which would spark another war between Theodoric and Thrasaric from 504 to 505.[2]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Barbarian Tides: The Migration Age and the Later Roman Empire. 978-0812200287. Goffart. Walter. 25 November 2010.
  2. Book: Theodoric the Goth: The Barbarian Champion of Civilization. 9780598453068. Hodgkin. Thomas.