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The Battle of Nicopolis ad Istrum was fought between the Roman army of Emperor Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus, and the Gothic army of King Cniva, in 250 CE. The Romans were victorious.
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Prelude
In 250, the Goths, led by their king Cniva, attacked the Roman province of Moesia. Roman emperor Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus led their army to Moesia. The Goths were, at the same time, marching to attack the Roman city of Philippopolis. The Romans intercepted them near Nicopolis ad Istrum.
Battle
The Romans intercepted the Goths just before they could reach Nicopolis. Decius and Herennius launched a surprise attack on the Goths while they were marching. The Romans took the disorganized Goths by surprise, fighting hard and gaining the upper hand quickly. Caught off guard, the Goths could not respond to the attack, and so were defeated.
6th century Byzantine scholar Jordanes described Cniva's defeat:
"When the Emperor Decius drew near, Cniva, with his army still in good shape, at last withdrew to the Balkan Mountains, which were not far distant."
Aftermath
The Romans defeated the Goths, but not decisively. Cniva besieged Philippopolis, in the Battle of Philippopolis. Cniva negotiated a truce with the city's ambitious governor, Titus Julius Priscus. However, the Goths broke the truce, and sacked the city. In 251 CE, the Roman army lost the Battle of Abritus, and Decius and Herennius were both killed.