Anthemius
Campaigns against the Visigoths
#### Campaigns against the Visigoths

After the disastrous campaign in Africa, Anthemius concentrated on the second problem of his Empire, keeping under his control the Western provinces targeted by Visigothic expansion. He turned to the reconquest of [Gaul](/wiki/Gaul "Gaul"), occupied by [Visigoths](/wiki/Visigoths "Visigoths") under the ambitious King [Euric](/wiki/Euric "Euric") who had exploited the weak Roman control caused by political instability. Euric's sphere of influence had also separated some imperial provinces from the rest of the Empire. Even though [Arelate](/wiki/Arelate "Arelate") and [Marseilles](/wiki/Marseilles "Marseilles") in Southern Gaul were still governed by the Western court, [Avernia](/wiki/Clermont-Ferrand "Clermont-Ferrand") was isolated from the rest of the Empire and governed by [Ecdicius](/wiki/Ecdicius "Ecdicius"), son of Emperor Avitus, while the territory later included in the so\-called [Domain of Soissons](/wiki/Domain_of_Soissons "Domain of Soissons") was located further north.

In 470, Anthemius recruited Britons living in either Britain or Armorica to fight Euricus.*[Chronica gallica anno 511](/wiki/Chronica_gallica_anno_511 "Chronica gallica anno 511")*, n. 649, *s.a.* 470; Sidonius Apollinaris, *Epistulae* III.9 The Britons, under King [Riothamus](/wiki/Riothamus "Riothamus"), were initially successful and occupied [Bourges](/wiki/Bourges "Bourges") with twelve thousand men. However, when they entered the core of Visigoth territory, trying to conquer [Déols](/wiki/D%C3%A9ols "Déols"), they were outnumbered and defeated by a Visigoth army, and Riothamus was forced to flee to the [Burgundians](/wiki/Burgundians "Burgundians"), who were Roman allies.[Jordanes](/wiki/Jordanes "Jordanes"), 237–238; [Gregory of Tours](/wiki/Gregory_of_Tours "Gregory of Tours"), [ii.18](/wiki/s:La:Historiarum_Francorum_libri_X_-_Liber_II%2318._Quod_Childericus_Aurilianus_et_Andecavo_venit_Odovacrius. "La:Historiarum Francorum libri X - Liber II#18. Quod Childericus Aurilianus et Andecavo venit Odovacrius.").

Anthemius took the matter into his own hands and decided to attack the Visigoths directly. He collected an army under the nominal leadership of his own son, [Anthemiolus](/wiki/Anthemiolus "Anthemiolus"), but actually commanded by the generals Torisarius, Everdingus, and Hermianus. Anthemiolus moved from Arelate and crossed the [Rhone](/wiki/Rhone "Rhone") river, but he was intercepted by Euric, who [defeated](/wiki/Battle_of_Arles_%28471%29 "Battle of Arles (471)") and killed the Roman generals and pillaged the area.*Chronica gallica anno 511*, n. 649 *s.a.* 471, cited in Mathisen.


What was the outcome of the battle between the Romans and Visigoths in 471?