Battle of Arausio
Orange, Vaucluse, France
What happened
Two Roman armies under Quintus Servilius Caepio and Gnaeus Mallius Maximus fought the Cimbri and Teutons, led by Boiorix and Teutobod. The Cimbri and Teutons, peoples migrating from northern Europe, met two Roman armies by the Rhône at Arausio. The two Roman commanders refused to work together and camped on opposite banks of the river. The Cimbri defeated each army in turn, and very few Romans escaped.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It is called the worst defeat in the history of ancient Rome. It is linked to the reforms of Gaius Marius, which changed how Roman armies were organised and recruited, though some historians question how sudden those changes were.
What came next
The Cimbri turned toward the Pyrenees instead of Italy, giving Rome time to recover. Romans elected Marius consul again and again, and he defeated the Teutons at Aquae Sextiae.
Did you know?
The town of Arausio, now Orange, later passed its name to the Dutch royal House of Orange-Nassau.
Timeline
- 6 October 105 BCEThe Cimbri and Teutons win at Arausio.
- 1544William the Silent inherits the title Prince of Orange.
- 1981Orange's Roman theatre and arch become a World Heritage Site.