marcianopolis

Updated: May 13, 2025

The Barbarians expected his approach about nine miles from Marcianopolis; and on this occasion the talents of the general were found to be of more prevailing efficacy than the weapons and discipline of the troops. The valor of the Goths was so ably directed by the genius of Fritigern, that they broke, by a close and vigorous attack, the ranks of the Roman legions.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2

Fridigern, their king, kept them quiet till the time was ripe for revenge. Then at Marcianopolis, the capital of Lower Moesia, Lupicinus asked Fridigern and his chiefs to a feast. The starving Goths outside were refused supplies from the market, and came to blows with the guards. Lupicinus, half drunk, heard of it, and gave orders for a massacre. Fridigern escaped from the palace, sword in hand.

Charles Kingsley - The Roman and the Teuton : A Series of Lectures delivered before the University of Cambridge

The first exploit of Zimisces was the reduction of Marcianopolis, or Peristhlaba, in two days; the trumpets sounded; the walls were scaled; eight thousand five hundred Russians were put to the sword; and the sons of the Bulgarian king were rescued from an ignominious prison, and invested with a nominal diadem.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 5