Dardanian-Bastarnae war

Dardanian-Bastarnae war was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Dardania and the Bastarnae tribe.

History
Philip V of Macedon planned to use Bastarnae as a base to attack the Romans, but that required the Macedonians to settle in Dardania, along with their families, wiping out the Dardanians. This would destroy long-time enemies of the Macedonian state and secure a path to Rome. Some twenty years before, Philip had lost in a war against the Roman Republic, known as Second Macedonian War. However, war was again threatening.

Dardanians used every opportunity to loot Macedonia, and Philip's army was too weak at the time to attack them.

In 179 BC Philip died, just after Bastarnae left their homeland. When they heard the news about Philip's death, Bastarnae began moving through Odrysian Kingdom. Thracians felt that after the king's death, they were no longer under obligation to help and supply these barbarians. Bastarnae started looting Odrysia in search for food. Thracians made up an army, but they were weaker than Bastarnae. Bastarnae beat them, and made them evacuate to hills and mountains. Thracians soldiers and families moved to the Thracia's highest peak, Mt. Musala. Bastarnae chased them, but when they reached the mountains, heavy storm hit them and they retreated.

War
Some 30,000 Bastarnae started moving to Dardania, while others returned home. They reached Kingdom of Dardania in autumn 179 BC. Occupying Dardania was not so easy. Bastarnae formed several camps. Dardanians thought they were going to vanquish the enemy easily, but years passed and attackers were still there. In 176 BC Dardanian king Monunius II sent a delegation to Rome, accusing Macedonian king Perseus of invading Bastarnae. Perseus tried to have good relations with the Roman Republic, so he denied all accusations. Dardanians waited to attack until Bastarnae allies, Scordisci and Thracians, were busy working in the fields. They split into two groups; one to attack the front, and the other attacking from the flank. The first group arrived too early and was defeated. Bastanae pushed them and besieged them in their city. The other group of Dardanian soldiers didn't hear this news, so they continued moving towards the enemy camp. The Bastanea left their camp empty. Without their camp, Bastarnae started retreating. On their way home they crossed the frozen river Danube. Ice started cracking and almost all Bastarnae soldiers died. Their leader, Clondicus, survived.

Dardanians won the war, but they were heavily damaged and reduced in power. Dardania continued to exist until Roman conquest in 28 BC.