We have some basic issues with Vandal pre-history in part I here and in part II here.  So when do the Vandals actually make their appearance on the stage of world events?

Cassius Dio

It seems that the first person to report on actual Vandals is the Greek writer Cassius Dio (circa 155 A.D. – circa 235 A.D.) who mentions them in his Roman History (Historiae Romanae).  Specifically, he speaks of the Vandals in – probably – four separate instances:

First, he states that the “Albis rises in the Vandalic Mountains, and empties, a mighty river, into the northern ocean.”  This is in the context of describing the campaign of Drusus the Elder (father of Germanicus and Claudius, grandfather of Caligula) about 9 A.D.  Whether the Vandalic Mountains were called that in the time of Drusus, as opposed to the time of Cassius – some two centuries later – is unclear.  More importantly, where the Vandalic Mountains were located is also  unclear.  At first glance, we note that, what we call today the Elbe, rises in the Krkonoše/ Karkonosze/Riesengebirge Mountains which are part of the Sudeten/Sudety range (interestingly, there is a connection here to the Mountains of Jassa (and note the Vandal name of Assi, ash) so maybe the old (southern) Poles were Vandals after all?).  However, as any river, the Elbe is constituted out of a number of smaller rivers and the “origin” of the Elbe is partly a matter of convention (e.g., see the Ohre, the Vltava, the Sazava, the Berounka, etc.)  Therefore, the mountains may have been the Sudety/Sudeten or the Ore Mountains/Erzgebirge/ Krušné hory/Rudawy or even the south-western Bohemian Forest Mountains/Šumava.

In fact, if one only looks at the situation from the perspective of the Roman legionary who is coming from the Rhein, the Elbe appears to originate in the Ore Mountains, i.e., the Erzgebirge/ Krušné hory/Rudawy. 

Furthermore, Cassius Dio nowhere states as to whether the Vandals occupy the lands to the north of the Vandalic Mountains, to the south of them, the mountains themselves or some or all of the above.  

And, to be perfectly frank, he does not say that these mountains were named that by reason of the Vandals actually inhabiting them or territory near them or for some other reason.

The next two mentions that may be relevant come from the Marcomannic Wars (also known as the German and Sarmatian Wars, bellum Germanicum et Sarmaticum) of 166 A.D. – 180 A.D.  Specifically, Cassius mentions that, circa 171 A.D., the tribes of the Astingi (led by chieftains Raus and Raptus) and Lacringi tried to negotiate a deal with Marcus Aurelius to get some land in Dacia.  The Astingi dislodged the Costoboci and then, failing to obtain a deal with the Romans, ravaged Dacia.  The Lacringi then turned on the Astingi and defeated them.  After that the Astingi kept their head down and agreed to help Marcus Aurelius in the Marcomannic Wars against other tribes in exchange for land.

There is nothing in Marcus’ passage to suggest that these were “Vandals”.  However, it has been argued that the Astingi were the same as the Asdingi/Hasdingi who are mentioned later as a type of a Vandal “stock” (family?) in Jordanes’ Getica (albeit at that point their past wa a memory).   If so, then we have Vandals in the 2nd century in Dacia (today in Romania) – far away from Germany, Poland or even the Riesengebirge or Erzgebirge.  No one knows who the Lacringi were and they are never heard of again.

(Incidentally, the above mentioned passage ends with the following statement by Cassius Dio illustrating who he, at least, thought, the Romans called “Germans”: “for we give the name of Germans to those who dwell in the northern regions“).

Thereafter, Cassius notes that, at the end of the Marcomannic Wars, Commodus – Marcus Aurelius’ son – apparently obtained a promise from the Marcomanni not to attack “the Iazyges, the Buri, or the Vandili.”  This is the first ever unambiguous mention of the Vandals set at a specific time and – roughly – place.  If the Iazyges were on the Tisa at the time, this passage seems broadly consistent with the Vandals being in Dacia.

The last “Vandalic” passage in Cassius Dio’s work is the observation that,  circa 212 A.D. – 213 A.D., the Romans (in the person of Fabricius Luscinus though not the one from the 3rd century B.C. obviously) “stirred up enmity” between the “Vandili and the Marcomani, who had [apparently at that point] been friends.”

So, Dio identifies the Vandalic Mountains as somewhere in today’s Czech Republic but actual Vandals only in Dacia.

Exit Dio.

Other Sources

Other sources on the Vandals are scarce.

The  Historia Augusta (between 238 and 270 or 4th century) speaks of the Vandals as amongst the peoples defeated by Marcus Aurelius in Pannonia.  Flavius Eutropius of Constantinople (latter half of the 4th century, i.e, two centuries after the Marcomannic Wars) in his Compendium of Roman History, lists the Vandals among those peoples who were defeated by Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars.  On the other hand, another East Roman author, Peter the Patrician (Πέτρος ὁ Πατρίκιος, 500 A.D. – 565 A.D.) claims (he may not have been the author of “his” History but that is neither here nor there at this point) that the Lacringi and Astingi came to help Marcus Aurellius and, as noted above in the discussion of Cassius Dio‘s work, the Emperor Commodus, apparently, ordered the Marcomanni not to attack the Iazyges, Buri or the Vandals. Thus, it would seem that the role of the Vandals changed during the course of the wars (that too is suggested by the Astingis’ (if these were Vandals) quieter stance after their defeat by the Lacringi, as per Dio above).

Jordanes in his Getica also mentions that by the Goths’ “strong right arm the Vandals were often laid low…”  and that the “Astringi” (Astingi?) were one of a number of tribes in the army of Ostrogotha which he sent against the Roman Emperor Philip (reigned 238 A.D. – 249 A.D.) or rather to loot the Empire’s provinces in Dacia and Thrace.  That army was commanded by Ostrogotha’s generals Argaithus and Guntheric and the Vandals are not otherwise mentioned here.  The invasion has been dated to 248-249 A.D.  The Vandals are notably absent from the later Gothic invasions of Cniva and the other Goths that raged in the area throughout the second half of the third century.

Publius Herennius Dexippus (Δέξιππος) (circa 210 A.D. – 273 A.D.) also briefly mentions these events in his Skythica.  According to him, the Emperor Aurelian (reigned 270 A.D. – 275 A.D.) defeated the “Vandeloi” in 271 A.D. at which point the Vandals asked for peace.  At this point Aurelian apparently conferred with his army commanders who felt charitable and they all decided to accept the peace.  Two Vandal kings gave their sons as hostages and Aurelian gave the Vandals provisions enough to enable them to return to Dacia.  A band of five hundred Vandals strayed, however, and ravaged Moesia.  They were defeated by the Romans and the Vandal kings had the band members put to death so as not to tick off the Romans even more.   In concord with this, Peter the Patrician also claims that the Vandals crossed the Danube at the beginning of the reign of Emperor Aurelian, were defeated, sued for peace and surrendered hostages and control over trade routes.  The Historia Augusta also mentions Vandals participating (as prizes apparently – perhaps the same hostages as mentioned above) in the triumph of Emperor Aurelian.  (The same Aurelian is also mentioned as freeing the Vindelici – whoever those were then – presumably members of the breakaway “Gallic” Empire). 

These events seem to have been partly repeated during the reign of Emperor Probus (reigned 276 A.D. – 282 A.D.).  According to the same Historia Augusta, the Vandals were among the people who were resettled by the Probus, who then rebelled and who were subsequently crushed by him.  This seems to be confirmed by Zossimus (490s–510s) in his New History (probably relying on Eunapius).  Zossimus also, interestingly, states that Probus fought against the Vandals and Burgundians suggesting that the two, at least at the time of Probus, were distinct groups.

Another source that deserves mentioning here is the Tabula Peutingeriana of the 3rd-5th century (?) which lists the “Vanduli” squeezed between the Danube and the Marcomanni.

  Where Does this Leave Us?

Thus, the examination of the earliest authors after the four mentioned previously (Strabo, Pliny, Tacitus and Ptolemy) reveals relatively little of Vandal history.  Very generally, at the end of the second century and throughout the third, they appear on the Danube along with many other tribes converging slowly on the Roman Empire.

• Pre-Marcomannic Wars (?) – Vandals’ location at this point is completely unclear.   Based on the sole reference by Cassius Dio to “Vandalic” Mountains, it is possible – on the assumption that these mountains were named for their inhabitants – that they lived somewhere in or around the  mountains surrounding Bohemia.  Whether this was north, south, west, east of or in Bohemia itself is, of course, speculation.

• Marcomannic Wars (166 A.D. – 180 A.D.) – Vandals (perhaps including the Asdingi and/or Lacringi) take part in the wars in Dacia (?) and then (?) in Pannonia.  At first some (but not all – Lacringi?) of them fight against the Roman Empire (Asdingi?) and are defeated.  Then they become friends with the Romans again.  Whether these are the same Vandals as those of Pliny or whether these are the Vindelici of Strabo or both, we do not know.  This occurred in the reign of Marcus Aurelius and then Commodus.

• Circa 212 A.D. – 213 A.D. – Vandals are now friends with the Marcomanni but the Romans set them against each other – whether this leads to a war we do not know.  This occurred in the reign of the Emperor Antoninus, aka, Caracalla.

• Circa 248 A.D.-249 A.D. – The “Asdringi” are part of a large Gothic force invading Dacia and Moesia.  Vandals defeated by Goths (?)

• Reigns of Aurelian and Probus (270 A.D. – 282 A.D.) (there actually were two emperors in between too) – the Vandals are defeated, resettled, rebel again and a re defeated again.

Taking this all in, it seems that a group or groups by the name Vandals operated in a minor (relative to the Marcomanni, Quadi and Iazyges) role during and shortly after the Marcomannic Wars.  Thereafter, they established themselves on the Danube and were a small irritant to the Romans from time to time.

Next time, we will see what other peoples thought of where the Vandals came from.  We will look at Jordanes (above what we already wrote), Procopius, Paul the Deacon and maybe some others.

Source Materials

Cassius Dio’s Historiae Romanae (55.1) 

[1] “The events related happened in the consulship of Iullus Antonius and Fabius Maximus.  In the following year Drusus became consul with Titus Crispinus, and omens occurred that were anything but favourable to him.  Many buildings were destroyed by storm and by thunderbolts, among them many temples; even that of Jupiter Capitolinus and the gods worshipped with him was injured.

“ταῦτα μὲν ἐπί τε τοῦ Ἰούλλου Ἀντωνίου καὶ ἐπὶ Φαβίου Μαξίμου ὑπάτων ἐγένετο, τῷ δὲ ἐχομένῳ ἔτει ὁ Δροῦσος μετὰ Τίτου Κρισπίνου ὑπάτευσε, καὶ αὐτῷ σημεῖα οὐκ ἀγαθὰ συνηνέχθη: πολλὰ μὲν γὰρ καὶ ἄλλα καὶ χειμῶνι καὶ κεραυνοῖς, πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ ναοὶ ἐφθάρησαν, ὥστε καὶ τὸν τοῦ Διὸς τοῦ Καπιτωλίου τῶν τε συννάων αὐτοῦ κακωθῆναι.”

[2] Drusus, however, paid no heed to any of these things, but invaded the country of the Chatti and advanced as far as that of the Suebi, conquering with difficulty the territory traversed and defeating the forces that attacked him only after considerable bloodshed. From there he proceeded to the country of the Cherusci, and crossing the Visurgis, advanced as far as the Albis, pillaging everything on his way.

“οὐ μέντοι καὶ ἐφρόντισέ τι αὐτῶν, ἀλλ᾽ ἔς τε τὴν τῶν Χάττωνἐσέβαλε καὶ προῆλθε μέχρι τῆς Σουηβίας, τήν τε ἐν ποσὶν οὐκἀταλαιπώρως χειρούμενος καὶ τοὺς προσμιγνύντας οἱ οὐκ ἀναιμωτὶκρατῶν. κἀντεῦθεν πρός τε τὴν Χερουσκίδα μετέστη, καὶ τὸνΟὐίσουργον διαβὰς ἤλασε”

[3] The Albis rises in the Vandalic Mountains, and empties, a mighty river, into the northern ocean.  Drusus undertook to cross this river, but failing in the attempt, set up trophies and withdrew. For a woman of superhuman size met him and said:  ‘Whither, pray, art thou hastening, insatiable Drusus? It is not fated that thou shalt look upon all these lands. But depart; for the end alike of thy labours and of thy life is already at hand.’

“μέχρι τοῦ Ἀλβίου, πάντα πορθῶν. ἐκεῖνον γάρ ῾ῥεῖ δὲ ἐκ τῶν Οὐανδαλικῶν ὀρῶν, καὶ ἐς τὸν ὠκεανὸν τὸν προσάρκτιον πολλῷμεγέθει ἐκδίδωσιν᾽ ἐπεχείρησε μὲν περαιωθῆναι, οὐκ ἠδυνήθη δέ, ἀλλὰτρόπαια στήσας ἀνεχώρησε: γυνὴ γάρ τις μείζων ἢ κατὰ ἀνθρώπουφύσιν ἀπαντήσασα αὐτῷ ἔφη ‘ποῖ δῆτα ἐπείγῃ, Δροῦσε ἀκόρεστε; οὐπάντα σοι ταῦτα ἰδεῖν πέπρωται. ἀλλ᾽ ἄπιθι: καὶ γάρ σοι καὶ τῶνἔργων καὶ τοῦ βίου τελευτὴ”

[4] It is indeed marvellous that such a voice should have come to any man from the Deity, yet I cannot discredit the tale; for Drusus immediately departed, and as he was returning in haste, died on the way of some disease before reaching the Rhine.

“ἤδη πάρεστι.’ θαυμαστὸν μὲν οὖν τό τινα φωνὴν παρὰ ῾̣̣̓οῦδαιμονίου τοιαύτην τῳ γενέσθαι, οὐ μέντοι και ἀπιστεῖν ἔχω: παραχρῆμα γὰρ ἀπέβη, σπουδῇ τε ὑποστρέψαντος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῇὁδῷ νόσῳ τινί, πρὶν ἐπὶ τὸν Ῥῆνον ἐλθεῖν, τελευτήσαντος.”

[5] And I find confirmation of the story in these incidents: wolves were prowling about the camp and howling just before his death; two youths were seen riding through the midst of the camp; a sound as of women lamenting was heard; and there were shooting stars in the sky.  So much for these events.”

“καί μοι τεκμηριοῖ τὸ λεχθὲν ὅτι καὶ λύκοι περὶ τὸ στρατόπεδον ὑπὸτὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ περινοστοῦντες ὠρύοντο, καὶ νεανίσκοι δύο διὰμέσου τοῦ ταφρεύματος διιππεύοντες ὤφθησαν, θρῆνός τέ τιςγυναικεῖος ἠκούσθη, καὶ ἀστέρων διαδρομαὶ ἐγένοντο.”

Cassius Dio’s Historiae Romanae (72.11 & 72.12)

[72.11.6] “Both the Astingi and the Lacringi came to the assistance of Marcus.”

“ὅτι ἦλθον καὶ Ἄστιγγοι καὶ Λάκριγγοι εἰς βοήθειαν τοῦ Μάρκου.”

[72.12.1] “The Astingi, led by their chieftains Raus and Raptus, came into Dacia with their entire households, hoping to secure both money and land in return for their alliance. But failing of their purpose, they left their wives and children under the protection of Clemens, until they should acquire the land of the Costoboci by their arms; but upon conquering that people, they proceeded to injure Dacia no less than before.”

“ὅτι Ἄστιγγοι, ὧν Ῥᾶός τε καὶ Ῥάπτος ἡγοῦντο, ἦλθον μὲν ἐς τὴνΔακίαν οἰκῆσαι ¹ ἐλπίδι τοῦ καὶ χρήματα καὶ χώραν ἐπὶ συμμαχίᾳλήψεσθαι, μὴ τυχόντες δὲ αὐτῶν παρακατέθεντο τὰς γυναῖκας καὶτοὺς παῖδας τῷ Κλήμεντι ὡς καὶ τὴν τῶν Κοστουβώκων χώραν τοῖςὅπλοις κτησόμενοι, νικήσαντες δὲ ἐκείνους καὶ τὴν Δακίαν”

[72.12.2] “The Lacringi, fearing that Clemens in his dread of them might lead these newcomers into the land which they themselves were inhabiting, attacked them while off their guard and won a decisive victory.  As a result, the Astingi committed no further acts of hostility against the Romans, but in response to urgent supplications addressed to Marcus they received from him both money and the privilege of asking for land in case they should inflict some injury upon those who were then fighting against him.”

“οὐδὲν ἧττον ἐλύπουν. δείσαντες δὲ οἱ Λάκριγγοι μὴ καὶ ὁ Κλήμηςφοβηθείς σφας ἐς τὴν γῆν ἣν αὐτοὶ ἐνῴκουν ἐσαγάγῃ, ἐπέθεντοαὐτοῖς μὴ προσδεχομένοις καὶ πολὺ ἐκράτησαν, ὥστε μηδὲν ἔτιπολέμιον τοὺς Ἀστίγγους πρὸς τοὺς Ῥωμαίους πρᾶξαι, πολλὰ δὲ δὴτὸν Μᾶρκον ἱκετεύσαντας χρήματά τε παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ λαβεῖν καὶ χώραν γεἀπαιτῆσαι, ἄν γέ τι κακὸν τοὺς ”

[72.12.3] “Now this tribe really did fulfill some of its promises; whereas the Cotini, though they made similar offers, nevertheless, upon receiving Tarrutenius Paternus, the secretary in charge of the emperor’s Latin correspondence, on the pretext that they wished to make a campaign with him against the Marcomani, not only failed to do so, but even treated Paternus himself shamefully, thereby bringing about their own destruction later.”

“τότε πολεμοῦντάς οἱ δράσωσι. καὶ οὗτοι μὲν ἔπραξάν τι ὧνὑπέσχοντο, Κοτινοὶ δὲ ἐπηγγείλαντο  μὲν  αὐτοῖς ὅμοια, Ταρρουτήνιον δὲ Πάτερνον τὸν τὰς ἐπιστολὰς αὐτοῦ τὰς Λατίναςδιὰ χειρὸς ἔχοντα παραλαβόντες ὡς καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς Μαρκομάνους αὐτῷσυστρατεύσοντες οὐ μόνον οὐκ ἐποίησαν τοῦτο, ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὸνἐκεῖνον δεινῶς ἐκάκωσαν, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἀπώλοντο.”

[72.12.5] “When the Marcomani were successful in a certain battle and slew Marcus Vindex, the prefect, the emperor erected three statues in his honour; and after conquering the foe he himself received the title of Germanicus (for we give the name of Germans to those who dwell in the northern regions).”

“τῶν δὲ Μαρκομάνων εὐτυχησάντων ἔν τινι μάχῃ καὶ τὸν Οὐίνδικα τὸν Μᾶρκον ἔπαρχον ὄντα ἀποκτεινάντων, τούτῳ μὲν τρεῖςἀνδριάντας ἔστησε, κρατήσας δὲ αὐτῶν Γερμανικὸς ὠνομάσθη: Γερμανοὺς γὰρ τοὺς ἐν τοῖς ἄνω χωρίοις οἰκοῦντας ὀνομάζομεν.”

Cassius Dio’s Historiae Romanae (73.2)

[1] “The Marcomani by reason of the multitude of their people that were perishing and the constant ravishing of their lands no longer had an abundance of either food or men. At any rate they sent only two of their chief men and two others of inferior rank as envoys to sue for peace.”

“ ὅτι οἱ Μαρκομάνοι οὔτε τροφὴν οὔτ᾽ ἄνδρας συχνοὺς ὑπό τε τοῦπλήθους τῶν ἀπολλυμένων καὶ ὑπὸ τῆς ἀεὶ τῶν χωρίων κακώσεωςἔτι εἶχον: δύο γοῦν μόνους τῶν πρώτων καὶ δύο ἄλλους τῶνκαταδεεστέρων πρέσβεις πρὸς αὐτὸν ὑπὲρ τῆς ”

“εἰρήνης ἔπεμψαν. καὶ ἐξεργάσασθαι αὐτοὺς δυνάμενος ῥᾳδίως, μισόπονος δὲ δὴ ὢν καὶ πρὸς τὰς ἀστικὰς ῥᾳστώνας ἐπειγόμενοςἐσπείσατο αὐτοῖς ἐπί τε τοῖς ἄλλοις ἐφ᾽ οἷς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦσυνετέθειτο, καὶ ἵνα τούς τε αὐτομόλους καὶ τοὺς αἰχμαλώτους, οὓςμετὰ ταῦτα ἔλαβον, ἀποδῶσιν αὐτῷ, καὶ σῖτόν τινα κατ᾽ ἔτοςτακτὸν τελῶσιν,”

[3] “Moreover, he obtained some arms from them and soldiers as well, thirteen thousand from the Quadi [actually Kouadi] and a smaller number from the Marcomani; and in return for these he relieved them of the requirement of an annual levy.”

“ ὃν ὕστερον αὐτοῖς ἀφῆκεν. ὅπλα τέ τινα παρ᾽ αὐτῶν ἔλαβε, καὶστρατιώτας παρὰ μὲν τῶν Κουάδων μυρίους καὶ τρισχιλίους, παρὰ δὲτῶν Μαρκομάνων ἐλάττους: ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ἀνῆκεν αὐτοῖς τὸ”

[4] “However, he further commanded that they should not assemble often nor in many parts of the country, but only once each month and in one place, and in the presence of a Roman centurion; and, furthermore, that they should not make war upon the Iazyges, the Buri, or the Vandili.  On these terms, then, he made peace and abandoned all the outposts in their country beyond the strip along the frontier that had been neutralized . . .”

“ κατ᾽ ἔτος διδόναι τινάς. προσεπέταξε μέντοι σφίσιν ἵνα μήτεπολλάκις μήτε πολλαχοῦ τῆς χώρας ἀθροίζωνται, ἀλλ᾽ ἅπαξ ἐνἑκάστῳ μηνὶ καὶ ἐς τόπον ἕνα ἑκατοντάρχου τινὸς Ῥωμαίου παρόντος,πρὸς δὲ καὶ ἵνα μήτε τοῖς Ἰάζυξι μήτε τοῖς Βούροις μήτε τοῖς Οὐανδίλοις* πολεμῶσιν. ἐπὶ μὲν τούτοις συνηλλάγη, καὶ τά τεφρούρια πάντα τὰ ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ αὐτῶν ὑπὲρ τὴν μεθορίαν τὴνἀποτετμημένην ὄντα ἐξέλιπεν…”

*ou)andi/lois, bandh/lois; cf. bandi/lous.

Cassius Dio’s Historiae Romanae (78.20)

[2.2] “Antoninus maligned himself when he claimed that he had overcome the recklessness, greed, and treachery of the Germans by deceit, since these qualities could not be conquered by force.”

“ὅτι ὁ Ἀντωνῖνος ἑαυτὸν διέβαλε, φάσκων ὅτι τῶν Κελτῶν τὴνθρασύτητα καὶ τὴν ἀπληστίαν τήν τε ἀπιστίαν, ἀνάλωτον οὖσαν βίᾳ, ἀπατήσας εἰλήφει.”

[3] “He likewise commended Fabricius Luscinus because he had been unwilling to secure the death of Pyrrhus through the treachery of a friend; and yet he took pride in having stirred up enmity [about 212/213] with the Vandili and the Marcomani, who had been friends, and in having executed Gaïobomarus/Gaïovomarus, the king of the Quadi, against whom accusation had been laid.”

“ὅτι ὁ αὐτὸς τὸν μὲν Λουσκῖνον τὸν Φαβρίκιον ἐπῄνει ὅτι μὴἠθέλησε τὸν Πύρρον διὰ τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ δολοφονῆσαι, ἐμεγαλοφρονεῖτο δὲ ἐπὶ τῷ τοὺς Οὐανδίλους καὶ τοὺς Μαρκομάνους φίλους ὄντας ἀλλήλοις συγκεκρουκέναι, καὶ ὅτι καὶ τὸν τῶνΚουάδων βασιλέα Γαϊοβόμαρον”

 Publius Herennius Dexippus’ Skythica

(ed. Karl Wilhem Ludwig Müller – see also Jacoby for the “modern” version)

Historia Augusta

Marcus Aurelius Part 2

[17] “Toward the provinces from then on he acted with extreme restraint and consideration. He carried on a successful campaign against the Germans.  He himself singled out the Marcomannic war — a war which surpassed any in the memory of man — and waged it with both valour and success, and that at a time when a grievous pestilence had carried away thousands of civilians and soldiers.  And so, by crushing the Marcomanni, the Sarmatians, the Vandals, and even the Quadi, he freed the Pannonias from bondage,”

“Ergo provincias post haec ingenti moderatione ac benignitate tractavit. contra Germanos res feliciter gessit. speciale ipse bellum Marcomannicum, sed quantum nulla umquam memoria fuit, cum virtute tum etiam felicitate transegit, et eo quidem tempore quo pestilentia gravis multa milia et popularium et militum interemerat. Pannonias ergo, Marcomannis Sarmatis Vandalis simul etiam Quadis exstinctis, servitio liberavit et Romae cum Commodo, quem iam Caesarem fecerat, filio, ut diximus, suo triumphavit.”

Historia Augusta

Life of Aurelian Part 2

[33] “There were Blemmyes, Axomitae, Arabs from Arabia Felix, Indians, Bactrians, Hiberians, Saracens and Persians, all bearing their gifts; there were Goths, Alans, Roxolani, Sarmatians, Franks, Suebians, Vandals and Germans — all captive, with their hands bound fast.”

“Blemmyes, Axomitae, Arabes Eudaemones, Indi, Bactriani, Hiberi, Saraceni, Persae cum suis quique muneribus; Gothi, Alani, Roxolani, Sarmatae, Franci, Suebi, Vandali, Germani, religatis manibus captivi.”

Historia Augusta

Life of Aurelian Part 3

[41] “He it was who gave us back the provinces of Gaul, he who set Italy free, he who removed from the Vindelici the yoke of barbarian enslavement.”

“ille nobis Gallias dedit, ille Italiam liberavit, ille66 Vindelicis iugum barbaricae servitutis amovit.”

Historia Augusta 

Life of Probus

[18] “Having made peace, then, with the Persians, he returned to Thrace, and here he settled one hundred thousand Bastarnae on Roman soil, all of whom remained loyal.  But when he had likewise brought over many from other tribes, that is, Gepedes, Greuthungi and Vandals, they all broke faith, and when Probus was busied with wars against the pretenders they roved over well nigh the entire world on foot or in ships and did no little damage to the glory of Rome.  He crushed them, however, at diverse times and by various victories, and only a few returned to their homes, enjoying glory because they had made their escape from the hands of Probus. Such were Probus’ exploits among the barbarians.”

“Facta igitur pace cum Persis ad Thracias rediit et centum milia Bastarnarum in solo Romano constituit, qui omnes fidem servarunt.  sed cum et ex aliis gentibus plerosque pariter transtulisset, id est ex Gepedis, Greuthungis et Vandalis, illi omnes fidem fregerunt et occupato bellis tyrannicis Probo per totum paene orbem pedibus et navigando vagati sunt nec parum molestiae Romanae gloriae intulerunt.  quos quidem ille diversis vicibus variisque victoriis oppressit, paucis domum cum gloria redeuntibus, quod Probi evasissent manus. haec Probus cum barbaris gessit.”

FlaviusEutropius’ Compendium of Roman History, Book VIII

[13] “Having persevered, therefore, with the greatest labour and patience, for three whole years at Carnuntum, he brought the Marcomannic war to an end; a war which the Quadi, Vandals, Sarmatians, Suevi, and all the barbarians in that quarter, had joined with the Marcomanni in raising; he killed several thousand men, and, having delivered the Pannonians from slavery, triumphed a second time at Rome with his son Commodus Antoninus, whom he had previously made Caesar.  As he had no money to give his soldiers, in consequence of the treasury having been exhausted for the support of the war, and as he was unwilling to lay any tax on the provinces or the senate, he sold off all his imperial furniture and decorations, by an auction held in the forum of the emperor Trajan, consisting of vessels of gold, cups of crystal and murrha, silk garments belonging to his wife and himself, embroidered with gold, and numbers of jewelled ornaments. This sale was continued through two successive months, and a great quantity of money was raised from it. After his victory, however, he gave back the money to such of the purchasers as were willing to restore what they had bought, but was by no means troublesome to any one who preferred to keep their purchases.”

History of Peter the Patrician

(Routledge 2015, edited by  Thomas M. Banchich)

Jordanes Getica, Chapter 16

(89) “Now the Gothic race gained great fame in the region where they were then dwelling, that is in the Scythian land on the shore of Pontus, holding undisputed sway over great stretches of country, many arms of the sea and many river courses. By their strong right arm the Vandals were often laid low, the Marcomanni held their footing by paying tribute and the princes of the Quadi were reduced to slavery. Now when the aforesaid Philip–who, with his son Philip, was the only Christian emperor before Constantine–ruled over the Romans, in the second year of his reign Rome completed its one thousandth year. He withheld from the Goths the tribute due them; whereupon they were naturally enraged and instead of friends became his foes. For though they dwelt apart under their own kings, yet they had been allied to the Roman state and received annual gifts. (90) And what more? Ostrogotha and his men soon crossed the Danube and ravaged Moesia and Thrace. Philip sent the senator Decius against him. And since he could do nothing against the Getae, he released his own soldiers from military service and sent them back to private life, as though it had been by their neglect that the Goths had crossed the Danube. When, as he supposed, he had thus taken vengeance on his soldiers, he returned to Philip. But when the soldiers found themselves expelled from the army after so many hardships, in their anger they had recourse to the protection of Ostrogotha, king of the Goths. (91) He received them, was aroused by their words and presently led out three hundred thousand armed men, having as allies for this war some of the Taifali and Astringi and also three thousand of the Carpi, a race of men very ready to make war and frequently hostile to the Romans. But in later times when Diocletian and Maximian were Emperors, the Caesar Galerius Maximianus conquered them and made them tributary to the Roman Empire. Besides these tribes, Ostrogotha had Goths and Peucini from the island of Peuce, which lies in the mouths of the Danube where they empty into the Sea of Pontus. He placed in command Argaithus and Guntheric, the noblest leaders of his race. (92) They speedily crossed the Danube, devastated Moesia a second time and approached Marcianople, the famed metropolis of that land. Yet after a long siege they departed, upon receiving money from the inhabitants.”

Zossimus, Historia Nova (Book I)

“Another of [Probus’] battles was against the Franks, whom he subdued through the good conduct of his commanders. He made war on the Burgundi and the Vandili.  But seeing that his forces were too weak, he endeavoured to separate those of his enemies, and engage only with a part.  His design was favoured by fortune; for the armies lying on both sides of the river, the Romans challenged the Barbarians that were on the further side to fight.  This so incensed them, that many of them crossed over, and fought until the Barbarians were all either slain or taken by the Romans; except a few that remained behind, who sued for peace, on con.dition of giving up their captives and plunder; which was acceded to.  But as they did not restore all that they had taken, the emperor was so enraged, that he fell on them as they were retiring, killed many of them, and took prisoner their general Igillus. All of them that were taken alive were sent to Britain, where they settled, and were subsequently very serviceable to the emperor when any insurrection broke out. The wars upon the Rhine being thus terminated…”

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