In 28 May 1167 Archbishop of Mainz Christian de Buch encamped his army beside the hill and rested for a day while trying to negotiate a resolution. The Communal Roman army refused Christian's diplomatic overtures and instead attacked with their whole force, numbering 10,000 men, on Whitsunday but they were badly armed. The name of the leader of the Roman force has not been preserved, but it may have been Oddo Frangipani. The imperial forces were gravely outnumbered, but they prepared for battle anyway. The Brabançons were quickly routed, but the cavalry from Cologne stood up to the Roman infantry. Two charges from Tusculum divided the Romans: one hitting their flank and one running through the centre. The Roman cavalry fled the field and the Brabançons descended on the Roman camp. A third of the Roman host made it into the city walls before nightfall. Thousands were eventually taken prisoner and sent to Viterbo (including a son of Oddo Frangipani) and more left dead on the field and the road.
Pope Alexander III and Oddo Frangipani took refuge in the Colosseum and called in reinforcements. The city prepared for a siege. Later the pope fled to the city of Benevento and the emperor captured Rome. The army of Emperor Frederick, however, was hit hard by an epidemic and he had to withdraw his forces to Germany.
WI the Roman army (which was 10 times bigger than the imperial army) had won the battle? Could the Commune of Rome had survived if the epidemic which stroke Barbarossa's army in OTL strikes and he is forced to withdraw? How is this affects History? Any thoughts?
Pope Alexander III and Oddo Frangipani took refuge in the Colosseum and called in reinforcements. The city prepared for a siege. Later the pope fled to the city of Benevento and the emperor captured Rome. The army of Emperor Frederick, however, was hit hard by an epidemic and he had to withdraw his forces to Germany.
WI the Roman army (which was 10 times bigger than the imperial army) had won the battle? Could the Commune of Rome had survived if the epidemic which stroke Barbarossa's army in OTL strikes and he is forced to withdraw? How is this affects History? Any thoughts?