Battle of Verona (312)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Verona


caption=
partof=Wars of Constantine I
date=312
place=Verona
result=Constantinian victory
combatant1=Constantinian forces
combatant2=Maxentian forces
commander1=Constantine I
commander2=Ruricius Pompeianus†
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=
casualties2=|

The Battle of Verona was fought in 312 between the forces of the Roman emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Maxentius's forces were defeated, and Ruricius Pompeianus, one of his commanders, was killed in the fighting.

In 312 Constantine saw his chance to invade Italy to make an end at the usurpation of Maxentius. From Gaul he crossed the Alps and fell into Italy. At the city of Segusia (Susa) he met some resistance when the defenders refused to open their gates for him. After a short siege the city was taken and burned. The way to Italy lay open for him, and shortly afterwards he destroyed a second army at Turin. After his victory Constantine marched further to the south.

The battle

Soon, another army of Maxentius crossed the path of Constantine. At Verona Constantine met the second army that Maxentius had sent towards him under the command of general Pompeianus. General Ruricius Pompeianus was killed [cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=wuoCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=Ruricius+Pompeianus&source=web&ots=_OzAMlJ5MS&sig=0L2zwkuDrgvUxQf5mTFGZs3KB8Y&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA103,M1 |pages=103-104 |title=Constantine the Great. The union of the state and the church |last=Cutts |first=Edward Lewes |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1881 |publisher=Society for promoting Christian knowledge |location=London |isbn= |oclc=3527822] and the battle was won by Constantine. After his victory, city after city fell into his hands and Constantine marched on Rome. This resulted in the battle of the Milvian Bridge.

References

* Zosimus, "Historia Nova"