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Marcomannic Wars

Type Event Region Danube Time 166–180

From 166 to 180 CE, Germanic and Sarmatian tribes crossed the Danube and invaded the Roman Empire;…

Timeline

  1. 166–170Pannonia and Noricum · PannoniaThe Marcomanni, Quadi, and other tribes, together with the Sarmatians, broke through the Danube defenses, ravaged the provinces, and at one point threatened Italy itself. Verus died of illness after returning from his eastern campaign, and Marcus Aurelius personally went to the front to organize defense and counterattack.
  2. 170–175Middle Danube theater · DanubeMarcus Aurelius led the legions deep into the Germanic heartland, establishing operational bases at places such as Carnuntum. Plague and mutiny (the revolt of Avidius Cassius) at one point disrupted the campaign, but the emperor ultimately quelled the internal unrest and returned to the frontier.
  3. 175–180Danube frontier · DanubeMarcus Aurelius concluded treaties with the barbarian chieftains; some defeated tribes were settled within the empire (as dediticii), and new Germanic and Sarmatian provinces were planned. The emperor died of illness in 180 CE at the military camp of Vindobona, and his son Commodus signed a more lenient peace.

Sources