ADDUA
August 11, 490 - v1.0
By Chris Jackson
SYMBOL SET REQUIRED - Master 1

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

After Theodoric won a resounding victory at Verona, it appeared that he had completed
the conquest of Italy in a matter of weeks. Odoacer had escaped to the old Roman 
city of Ravenna, but with the defection of many of his troops accepted by Theodoric
at Mediolanum, it appeared resistance to the Ostrogoth invaders was crumbling fast. 
But the campaign would in fact be prolonged for three and a half years by unexpected 
events.

Tufa, appointed Master Militum of the foedarati by Odoacer on April 1, 489, appeared to
accept the new rulership of Theodoric at Mediolanum. Whether this was a calculated move
to decieve Theodoric or a true moment of wavering allegience is a matter of speculation.  
Either duped by brilliant deception or merely short on generals, Theodoric unwisely 
accepted Tufa as loyal and entrusted him to command the siege of Odoacer at Ravenna, 
something he no doubt should have led himself.

Advancing down the Aemilian Way, Tufa was met by Odoacer at Faventia (now Faenza), 
eighteen miles from Ravenna. Here Tufa suddenly reverted his allegience back and
probably handed most of his army to Odoacer. Worst of all, among the staff was some of
Theodoric's chief members (comites), probably nobles who had shared Theodoric's military
duties and hardships during the difficult migration to Italy. Brought to Ravenna in 
chains, these men were certainly murdered by Odoacer, an act which an embittered 
Theodoric never forgave.

The tide of the campaign had suddenly turned. Theodoric now found himself having to 
locate safe winter quarters for his people as he carried the war into the next year.
The city of Ticinum (now Pavia), south of Mediolanum, was selected for its defensible
position on the rivers Po and Ticino, and the entire kingdom, considered too large and
powerful for the East to deal with, all poured into one city. Ticunum's longstanding 
Bishop Epiphanius was well-noted for his great generosity over the next three years.
Although supportive of Theodoric, the greatest saint of the age was also able to keep in
touch with Odoacer as he worked to return captives from both sides to their families.  

The next year, 490, was marked by more unexpected developments that changed the political
climate. Gundobad, king of the Burgundians in the Rhone Valley, crossed the Alps and invaded
the Italian province of Liguria with a sizeable army. Whether he came as an ally of Odoacer
or acting on his own is unclear, but Gundobad may have feared the prospect of having 
Ostrogoth enemies on one border and the enemy Visigoths of Gaul on the other.
Indeed, the Visigoths under Alaric II interfered on Theodoric's behalf to assist their 
distant kinfolk the Ostrogoths against the Burgundian invasion. Soon Theodoric and
Gundobad were able to agree on a peace treaty. The Burgundians withdrew across the Alps,
taking a large spoil and a train of prisoners with them who would remain in capitivity for
at least the next four years, leaving the fields of Liguria to fall into disrepair in 
their absence.   

With Theodoric's energies diverted to the Burgundian threat in the spring and early summer
of 490, Odoacer emerged from Ravenna and retook the valley of the Po. Entering Mediolanum, 
Odoacer treated the city roughly for welcoming Theodoric the previous year. Ten miles east
of there, on the river Addua (Adda), the great battle of the year was fought on August 11.

Little is known about the battle except that Theodoric was aided by Visigoths, and the
battle was very bloody for both sides. Odoacer lost his faithful friend and counsellor,
the Roman noble Pierius, the Count of the Domestics who had also been given the lands
of Melita and Syracuse. The battle ended in another victory for Theodoric, and Odoacer
fled back to Ravenna, never to emerge from there again. 

In the wake if the battle, as Theodoric prepared to lay siege to Ravenna, there are 
indications that there was a general assassination, with Roman clergy heading the plot, of
all remaining foederati in Italy, possibly a retaliation for the Ostrogoths murdered
after Tufa's defection. Odoacer's sphere of support was now limited to the area of
Ravenna alone.


SOURCES

Hodgkin, Thomas. "Italy and Her Invaders, Volume 3". London: Russell and Russell,
     (1880-89), 1967.

Hodgkin, Thomas. "Theodoric the Goth". London: GP Putnam's Sons, 1891.

"Theodoric". Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 11, p. 688. Chicago University Press, 1995.


BATTLE NOTES

A straightforward battle with both armies attacking on a simple map. Theodoric has two
small wings and Odoacer has one large one with higher values due to more cavalry. Both
sides should avoid letting an enemy wing get under it, since it will then be prone to
flank attacks and surrounding.  

Chris Jackson, January 15, 1999
jackson@nornet.on.ca



