Gothic Wars

The Gothic Wars were a series of attempted invasions of the Roman Empire by the Germanic Tribes from 249 CE onwards.
The invasions were encouraged by the Civil Wars occurring in the Roman Empire known as the Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 CE).

In 269 CE, led by King Cniva, two Gothic armies crossed the Danube.
With 70,000 soldiers, Cniva besieged Novae but was defeated by Decius at the Battle of Nicopolis ad Istrum.
Cniva moved on to Augusta Traiana and this time defeated Decius at the Battle of Beroe.
Cniva then besieged Philippopolis (Plovdiv in Bulgaria). but Decius arrived too late to save the city and confronted Cniva at the Battle of Philippopolis (251 CE) which the Romans lost.
In June 251 CE Cniva was finally confronted at the Battle of Abrittus. However, the battle was fought in a marsh and Decius, his son Herennius Etruscus, and his army were defeated and lost.
Decius was the first Roman Emperor to die in battle against a Barbarian Army.

A small Gothic Fleet attacks Asia Minor (c.255-7 CE)
A Gothic Fleet of 500 attacks the Aegean (c. 267-8 CE)
A second Gothic Fleet of between 2,000-6,000 vessels attacks the Aegean (c. 268-9 CE)
The Goths were defeated at the Battle of Naissus (269 CE)

They were fought between 376-382 CE.
The wars are considered to be the first Barbarian Invasions by the Goths under Fritigern.
They resulted in the loss of the Western Roman Empire by 476 CE.

378 CE the Battle of Adrianople where the Roman Army under Valens was defeated by Fritigern, is considered by historians to be the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire.