Atlas of Battles

battle, notable, medieval

Battle of the Volturnus

Battle of the Volturnus was a battle fought in September AD 554 at Volturno, in what is now Italy. It was part of the Gothic War of 535–554, which ran from AD 535 to AD 554. The recorded result: Byzantine victory. Recorded strength: 18,000 men against 30,000 men.

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The Byzantine empire at the advent of Justinian I to the throne (527 CE) and at his death (565 CE). Source: Georges Duby, Atlas historique Duby, 2002 (?)
The Byzantine empire at the advent of Justinian I to the throne (527 CE) and at his death (565 CE). Source: Georges Duby, Atlas historique Duby, 2002 (?). No machine-readable author provided. Neuceu assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
FoughtSeptember AD 554
WhereVolturno, Italy41.092N, 14.057E
OutcomeByzantine victory
BelligerentsByzantine Empire; Heruli mercenariesagainstFranks; Alemanni
Part ofGothic War of 535–554AD 535 to AD 554

Where it sits in the Gothic War of 535–554

Battle of Scardon, AD 535Siege of Panormus, AD 535Siege of Naples, AD 536Siege of Rome, AD 537Siege of Urbinus, AD 538Battle of Pavia, AD 538Siege of Ariminum, AD 538Siege of Milan, AD 538Siege of Ravenna, AD 539Siege of Auximus, AD 539Siege of Verona, AD 541Battle of Treviso, AD 541Battle of Faventia, AD 542Battle of Mucellium, AD 542Siege of Naples, AD 542Sack of Rome, AD 546Siege of Rossano, AD 548Siege of Rome, AD 549Battle of Sena Gallica, AD 551Battle of Taginae, AD 552Siege of Cumae, AD 552Battle of Mons Lactarius, AD 552Siege of Urviventus, AD 553Battle of the Volturnus, AD 554AD 535AD 554Battle of the Volturnus, AD 554
25 placed engagements of the Gothic War of 535–554 in time order; taller ticks are more widely documented. Each tick is a link.

Record

DateSeptember AD 554 (month precision)
PlaceVolturno, Italy
41.092N, 14.057E
KindBattle, medieval
Strength18,000 men30,000 men
Casualties and losses80
Commanders
  • Butilinus
Battle of the VolturnusBattle of the VolturnusBattle of VolturnusBattle of Mount TifataSiege of CapuaBattle of CapuaSiege of CasilinumBattle of Mount TifataSalernoFoggiaVatican CityPotenzaCampobasso100 km41.092N, 14.057E
The recorded site, with the nearest other engagements in the atlas. Present-day coastlines, rivers and borders; towns from Natural Earth.

Nearest engagements

In the same war

Elsewhere in AD 554

Battle of the Volturnus is one of 120 engagements of the 6th century in the atlas and one of 942 in present-day Italy.

Sources

Identity, coordinates, dates and the war from Wikidata Q1458166, released under CC0. Result, belligerents, commanders, strength and casualties from the infobox of the English Wikipedia article Battle of the Volturnus (554), revision 1371819341, read 2026-11-14, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; the article's text is not reproduced here. Present-day country and state from Natural Earth. Dates before 1582 follow the Julian calendar as recorded.