Aurelian had been defeated by the Juthungi at the Battle of Placentia in 271, but he had rallied his men, and started pursuing the Juthungi, who were quickly moving towards a defenceless Rome. هُزم أويليان على يد جوثانغي في معركة بلاسينتيا عام 271، لكنه سرعان ما حشد رجاله وبدأ بملاحقة جوثانغي الذي كان بدوره يتقدّم بسرعة باتجاه روما.