Dardanian–Bastarnic war

Dardanian-Bastarnae war was a military conflict fought between the Kingdom of Dardania and the Bastarnae tribe.

Dardanian-Bastarnae war
Part of Macedonian wars
Map of Dardanian Kingdom
Date 179-175 BC Standort Dardania Result Dardanian victory Temporary occupation of Dardania Bastarnae pushed out
Belligerents
Kingdom of Dardania	Bastarnae
	Supported by: Kingdom of Macedonia Odrysian Kingdom Scordisci
Commanders and leaders
Bato(179-176 BC) Monunius II(176-175 BC)	Clondicus(Bastarnae chieftain) Philip V of Macedon (179 BC) Perseus of Macedon(179-175 BC)
Units involved
1st Dardanian group 2nd Dardanian group	Bastarnae army
Strength
unknown	c. 30,000 Bastarnae
Casualties and losses
unknow	almost all

Background

Philip V of Macedon planned to use Bastarnae as a base to attack the Romans, but before he could do that the Macedonians would have to settle in Dardania, along with their families, wiping out the Dardanians. By doing this, the Macedonians would destroy long-time enemies of the Macedonian state and secure a path to Rome. Some twenty years before, Philip had lost in a war against the Roman Republic, known as Second Macedonian War. However, the war against Rome was threatening again.

Dardanians were using every opportunity to loot Macedonia, and Philip's army was too weak at the time to attack them.

In 179 BC Philip died, just after Bastarnae left their homeland. When they heard the news about Philip's death, Bastarnae were in moving through Odrysian Kingdom. Thracians felt that after king's death, they were no longer under obligation to help and supply barbarians. Bastarnae started looting Odrysia in search for food. Thracians made up an army, but they were weaker than Bastarnae. Bastarnae beat them, and made them move to hills and mountains. Thracians soldiers and families moved to the Thracia's highest peak, Mt. Musala. Bastarnae chased them, but when they reached the mountains, heavy storm hit them and they retreated.

War

After discussing what to do next, some 30,000 Bastarnae started moving to Dardania, while others returned home. They reached Kingdom of Dardania in autumn 179 BC. Occupying Dardania was not so easy. Bastarnae formed several camps. Dardanian's thought that they were going to push out the enemy easily, put years passed and attackers were still there. In 176 BC Dardanian king Monunius II sent delegation to Rome, accusing Macedonian new king Perseus for Bastarnae invasion. Perseus tried to have good relations with the Roman Republic, so he denied all accusations. Dardanians waited part of the year when Bastarnae allies, Scordisci and Thracians, were busy working in the fields to attack. They split in to two groups; one that will attack on the front, and the other attacking from the side. But, the first group arrived to early and was defeated by the enemy. Bastanae pushed them and besieged them in their city. Other group of Dardanian soldiers didn't heard this news, so they continued moving towards enemy camp. Bastanea left their camp empty, leaving it to the Dardanians. Without their camp, Bastarnae started retreating. But, on their way home, they crossed the frozen river Danube. Ice started cracking and almost all Bastarnae soldiers died. Their leader, Clondicus, survived.

Dardanians won the war, but they were heavily damaged and reduced in power. Dardania continued to exist until Roman conquest in 28 BC.

See also

• Invasion of Molossia
• Macedonia (Dardanian puppet)