Battle of Faesulae (406)

The Battle of Faesulae was fought in 406 AD near the town of Faesulae (modern Fiesole, Italy). It pitted a Roman army under the command of Stilicho, the magister militum of the Western Roman Empire, against a Gothic army led by Radagaisus.

Radagaisus had led a massive invasion of Italy with an army composed of various Germanic and non-Germanic groups, estimated to number in the hundreds of thousands, including civilians. His invasion caused widespread panic and devastation in northern Italy.

Stilicho, recognizing the gravity of the situation, recalled Roman legions from other parts of the Empire, including Britain and Gaul. He supplemented these forces with Alans and Huns to create a powerful army.

The battle itself was a decisive Roman victory. Stilicho surrounded Radagaisus's forces near Faesulae, cutting off their supplies. Radagaisus's army, suffering from starvation and disease, was forced to attempt a breakout. The Romans inflicted heavy casualties, and Radagaisus himself was captured and later executed. Many of the surviving Goths were sold into slavery or joined the Roman army.

The victory at Faesulae was crucial in saving Italy from widespread destruction and preventing the complete collapse of Roman authority in the region. While it was a significant success for Stilicho, it only temporarily delayed the mounting pressures from Germanic migrations into the Western Roman Empire. The battle is often cited as one of Stilicho's greatest achievements.