The site of the battle, near the town of Cibalae (now Vinkovci, Croatia) in the Roman province of Pannonia Secunda, was approximately 350 kilometers within the territory of Licinius.

As the infantry of Constantine needed to move forward through broken ground, the cavalry was thrown out ahead, to act as a screen.

[7] Following a period of skirmishing and intense missile fire at a distance, the opposing main bodies of infantry met in close combat and fierce hand-to-hand fighting ensued.

This battle of attrition was ended, late in the day, when Constantine personally led a cavalry charge from the right wing of his army.

[3] Following the battle Licinius was forced to flee to Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia), and then, after collecting his family and treasury, to Thrace.