Cniva

Invasion of Moesia

Cniva began the invasion of the Roman Empire when he crossed the Danube. He sent detachments throughout the Roman province of Moesia with forces of Goths and Sarmatians. His considerable forces demanded the attention of the emperor Decius.

The first column of Cniva's army, a detachment of about 20,000 likely led by the chieftains Argaith and Gunteric, besieged Marcianopolis, apparently without success. They probably then headed south to besiege Philippopolis (now Plovdiv in Bulgaria). Cniva's main column under the King himself crossed the Danube at Oescus then headed eastwards to Novae, where he was repelled by the provincial governor (and future emperor) Trebonianus Gallus. The invaders then headed south to plunder Nicopolis ad Istrum where Decius defeated them but not decisively. After these initial setbacks, the Goths moved southwards through the Haemus mountain and Decius pursued them (likely through the Shipka Pass) to save Philippopolis. This time Decius' army was taken by surprise while resting at Beroe/Augusta Traiana. The Romans were heavily defeated in the ensuing battle. Decius was forced to withdraw his army to the north at Oescus, leaving Cniva ample time to ravage Moesia and finally capture Philippopolis in the summer of 251, in part with the help of its commander, a certain Titus Julius Priscus who had proclaimed himself Emperor. It seems that Priscus, after receiving the news of the defeat at Beroe, thought that the Goths would spare him and the city. He was wrong and was probably killed when the city fell. Then the invaders began returning to their homeland, laden with booty and captives, among them many of senatorial rank.

The sack of Philippopolis invigorated Decius, who intercepted several parties of Germans, and repaired and strengthened his fortifications along the Danube, intending to oppose Cniva’s forces.