The Battle of the Willows (377) took place at a place called ad Salices ("town by the willows"), or according to Ammianus, a road way-station called Ad Salices ("by the Willows"); probably located within 15 kilometres of Marcianople (modern day Dobrudja, Bulgaria), although its exact location is unknown. Forces from the Western Roman Empire under the command of Richomeres advanced westward, while forces of the eastern Roman Empire under Traianus and Profuturus advanced northward where they joined forces to attack the Goths who had recently rebelled under command of Fritigern. and were laying waste to the northern Balkans. It was the first major conflict of the Gothic War and both sides were ready to prove their merit.