The last battle is at the Babylon…

The victories of Gallienus on the Nestus and Claudius at Naissus (Nish) had reduced the danger to the Roman empire, but the countries of the middle Danube are still under pressure by the Marcomanni, the Quadi, the Iazyges, the Sarmatians, and the Carpi of free Dacia, who will soon joined by the Roxolani and the Vandals.

In spite of stubborn resistance, Dacia is gradually being overwhelmed, and it now begins to be abandoned by the Roman troops, though not evacuated officially.

Emperor Claudius dies in January 270 of the plague, which has already caused great losses among the Goths; he has reigned for only eighteen months.

Wwhile preparing a campaign against the Vandals, he had fallen ill on the march to the battle and returned to his regional headquarters in Sirmium, leaving Aurelian in charge of operations against the Goths.

Claudius’ death causes grieving among the army as well as the senate, which immediately deifies him at the request of his younger brother and successor Quintillus.

The new emperor remains for some time at his military base in Aquileia, not moving immediately to the capital to consolidate his power and gain vital support among the senators and the people.

The Goths renew their attacks in the Balkans, laying siege to such cities as Nikopolis and ...

...Anchialaus.

Aurelian intervenes decisively.

Zenobia makes expeditions with her large army to Syria and ...

...Lebanon.

Zenobia’s armies also invade Palestine, taking the vital trade routes in these areas from the Romans.

The unpopular Quintillus, after having ruled only about three months, is abandoned by his soldiers and dies by murder or suicide.

Zenobia at this point had already subjugated Syria, Judea and Arabia Petraea in early 270, sacking the capital of the latter and pacifying the Tanukhid tribes in Hauran who had challenged her authority, which makes it clear that Egypt is going to be the queen's next target.