Battle of Pydna (148 BC)

Battle of Pydna (148 BC)
Part of the Fourth Macedonian War
The fields of Pydna, where the battle took place
Date 148 BC Location Near ancient Pydna 40°22′0.001″N 22°34′59.999″E / 40.36666694°N 22.58333306°E / 40.36666694; 22.58333306 Result Roman victory Territorial changes Final Roman conquest of Macedon
Belligerents
Rome	Macedon
Commanders and leaders
Quintus Caecilius Metellus	Andriscus (Phillip VI)
Strength
2 legions and allies (c. 20,000 men) Unknown number of cavalry	Unknown but comparable
Casualties and losses
Light	Heavy
class=notpageimage| Location within Greece Show map of Greece Battle of Pydna (148 BC) (Balkans) Show map of Balkans Battle of Pydna (148 BC) (Europe without the extreme north) Show map of Europe without the extreme north

The Battle of Pydna was fought in 148 BC between Rome and the forces of the Macedonian leader Andriscus. The Roman force was led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus, and was victorious. The battle played an important role in deciding the outcome of the Fourth Macedonian War, and saw the annihilation of the last military-political force of Macedon.

The war had begun when the pretender Andriscus defeated Rome's clients in Macedon and crowned himself king, defeating a Roman force sent to stop him and invading parts of Greece. The senate then sent Quintus Caecilius Metellus with another, larger army to stop the pretender; the Roman commander chose to undertake both a land and sea offensive, forcing Andriscus to take a defensive position near Pydna, where Metellus engaged and soundly defeated him.

The battle decided the outcome of the war; Andriscus was forced to flee Macedon, and was pursued and captured by the Romans before he could raise a strong army. Rome now took direct control of Macedon, making it a Roman province.