Roman emperor Decius and his son Herennius Etruscus led their army to Moesia.

The Romans took the disorganized Goths by surprise, fighting hard and gaining the upper hand quickly.

6th century Byzantine scholar Jordanes described Cniva's defeat:When the Emperor Decius drew near, Cniva, with his army still in good shape, at last withdrew to the Balkan Mountains, which were not far distant.The Romans defeated the Goths, but not decisively.

Cniva mounted failed attacks on Philippopolis' walls and then negotiated a truce with the city's ambitious governor, Titus Julius Priscus.

In 251 AD, Cniva defeated three Roman legions at the Battle of Abritus, and Decius and Herennius were both killed.