Battle of Arausio

Battle of Arausio
Part of the Cimbrian War
and Roman–Germanic Wars
The migrations of the Cimbri and the Teutons. L Roman victories. W Cimbri and Teutons victories.
The migrations of the Cimbri and the Teutons.
BattleL Roman victories
BattleW Cimbrian and Teutone victories
Date6 October[1] 105 BC
Location44°8′0″N 4°48′0″E / 44.13333°N 4.80000°E / 44.13333; 4.80000
Result Cimbrian–Teuton victory
Belligerents
Cimbri
Teutons
Roman Republic
Commanders and leaders
King Boiorix
King Teutobod
Quintus Servilius Caepio
Gnaeus Mallius Maximus
Strength
200,000 120,000
  • 80,000 troops (10–12 legions)
  • 40,000 auxiliaries and camp followers
Casualties and losses
15,000 killed Possibly total
Battle of Arausio is located in France
Battle of Arausio
Location within France
Battle of Arausio is located in Europe
Battle of Arausio
Battle of Arausio (Europe)

The Battle of Arausio took place on 6 October 105 BC, at a site between the town of Arausio, now Orange, Vaucluse, and the Rhône river, where two Roman armies, commanded by proconsul Quintus Servilius Caepio and consul Gnaeus Mallius Maximus, were heavily defeated after clashing with the migratory tribes of the Cimbri under Boiorix and the Teutons under Teutobod.

Differences between the Roman commanders prevented regular coordination between their armies, resulting in annihilation by the united Cimbrian-Teutonic force. Roman losses are thought to have been up to 80,000 legionaries in addition to 40,000 auxiliary troops. Total losses numbered up to 120,000 soldiers, the entirety of both armies. In terms of losses, this battle is regarded as the worst defeat in the history of ancient Rome,[2] surpassing the Battle of Cannae. According to classical historians, as a direct result of the catastrophe, the Roman military was supposedly restructured under Gaius Marius via putative reforms to the organisation and recruitment of Roman legions, which would remain principally intact for centuries thereafter. Some modern historians contest the existence of sudden reforms under Marius.[3]

  1. ^ ᾖν δὲ πρὸ μιᾶς νωνῶν Ὀκτωβρίων "it was one day before the nones of October" Plutarch, Parallel Lives, Life of Lucullus 27.7
  2. ^ "Battle of Arausio, 6 October 105 BC". www.historyofwar.org.
  3. ^ "Collections: The Marian Reforms Weren't a Thing". 30 June 2023.