1. Strasbourg August [?], 357 Strategic Context Stakes No Image Available
During the most recent Roman civil war, Constantius encourages Germanic tribes such as the Alamanni to stir up trouble in rival Magnentius’ western half of the empire. When Constantius defeats Magnentius in 351, he is left with the disorder he helped create. In 355, he appoints his cousin, Flavius Claudius Julianus – better known as Julian the Apostate – as Caesar of the Gaul to crush the Alamanni. Julian learns much of his enemy in 356 and takes the offensive the following year. The Roman plan calls for Barbatio to advance from the east and Julian from the south to encircle the growing Alamanni confederation, but a surprise attack forces Barbatio to withdraw. Barbatio’s defeat also encourages seven Alamanni kings to mass their forces against Julian who quickly marches to battle before the confederation disperses or, worse, grows.
Stakes
+ A Roman victory would shatter the Alamanni confederation and allow Julian to re-establish control west of the Rhine River.
+ An Alamanni victory would make Roman ambitions to re-establish control ever more distant.
No Image
Available
By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©

2. Strasbourg, 357 Strength Romans Well Alamanni Well Julian the Apostate
Chnodomar
13,000
15,000
By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©

4. Alamanni (Chnodomar) 15,000 Romans (Julian the Apostate) 13,000
The Alamanni attack on the Roman right dissolves into a stalemate. At the center, the Alamanni second wave enters the fray, imperiling the Roman line; a concentration of Alamanni nobles cut their way through the Roman center and engage the primani legion. The Alamanni attack on the Roman left is completely repulsed and forced back.
The Alamanni attack fails and increasing numbers of warriors are perishing. The Alamanni right is first to rout, followed by the left and center. Julian ensures a rapid pursuit as the Roman cavalry re-enter the battle to chase down the fleeing Alamanni. The Roman pursuit results in the capture of Chnodomar and many drowned Alamanni warriors attempting to cross a river.
The Alamanni infantry on the left succeed in disrupting the Roman cavalry which panic and break under the combined arms attack. Chnodomar leads his cavalry against the Roman right flank but is met by Roman infantry reserves, shouted forward by Julian. At the center, the Roman infantry are hard-pressed but are holding their positions. On the Alamanni right, Serapio acknowledges surprise cannot be achieved and so he charges the Roman left. Severus fiercely engages the Alamanni in this sector.
Julian calls on the entire primani legion to hit the flanks of the Alamanni spearhead and close the gap. The Alamanni attack stalls for good as the Roman reserve enters the battle on the right as well.
Chnodomar and the other Alamanni kings lead the army forward; the Roman center and right advance to meet the attack. Severus cautiously maintains his position, sensing an ambush.
Julian deploys his infantry in two lines with his elite primani legion at the rear center where he supervises the battle. Julian deploys his superior cavalry on the right in the open terrain and a separate detachment to guard his left flank under Severus. Chnodomar deploys his infantry similar to the Romans but his rear line is really just a second wave to follow up the first and break the Roman lines; the nobles occupy the frontline center to lead by example. The Alamanni right is anchored on soggy terrain where Serapio commands an ambush force. Chnodomar deploys a mixed force of cavalry and infantry on his left wing which he will personally lead into battle; he hopes to neutralize the Roman cavalry by having his infantry attack the horses from below and then kill the rider.
Alamanni
(Chnodomar)
Alamanni
(Chnodomar)
15,000
Chnodomar
Serapio
Romans
(Julian the Apostate)
13,000
Julian
Severus
Romans
(Julian)

5. Strasbourg, 357 Casualties & Aftermath
Romans:
Alamanni:
1,500 or
12%
8,000 or
53%
Julian consolidated Roman control over Gaul over the next few years. Constantius, jealous of Julian’s success and at war with Persia recalled Julian’s best troops in 360. Julian’s legions refused to march east and instead proclaimed him emperor, sparking civil war. Constantius died in 361, ceding the Roman empire and war with Persia to Julian. He confidently invaded Persia in 363 but King Shapur proved more than capable of protecting his land; Julian was killed in battle the same year and his army destroyed the next.
By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©

6. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©