Battle of Pydna
Plain near Pydna and Katerini, Central Macedonia, Greece
What happened
A Roman army under Lucius Aemilius Paullus fought King Perseus of Macedon. The night before the battle, there was an eclipse of the Moon, which the Macedonians saw as a bad sign. The next day the Macedonian phalanx, a tight block of soldiers with long spears, moved onto uneven ground and gaps opened in its lines. Roman legionaries pushed into the gaps, and the battle was over in about an hour.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the kingdom of Macedon and the line of kings that went back to one of Alexander's generals. It is often seen as proof that the flexible Roman legion could beat the phalanx.
What came next
Perseus was taken to Rome as a prisoner. Macedon was split into four small republics and later became a Roman province.
Did you know?
Paullus reportedly knew that eclipses happen regularly, but he still waited for good omens before fighting.
Timeline
- 21 June 168 BCEAn eclipse of the Moon is seen the night before the battle.
- 22 June 168 BCEThe Romans defeat the Macedonians at Pydna.
- After 168 BCEMacedon is divided into four republics.
- LaterMacedonia becomes a Roman province.