Goths

• The Goths were a Germanic Tribe of Nomads who continually invaded the Roman Empire across the Danube. They are thought to have originated from southern Scandinavia, modern Sweden.
• The invasions began in 249 CE and ended with the Fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE.

Gothic Wars

• Gothic Wars of 249-251 CE
  • In 269 CE, led by King Cniva, two Gothic armies with 70,000 soldiers led by King Cniva crossed the Danube and besieged Novae. He 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.
  • 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 became the first Roman Emperor to die in battle against a Barbarian Army.
• The Gothic Wars of 376-382 CE
  • The wars are considered by historians to be the first Barbarian Invasions by the Goths under Fritigern which resulted in the loss of the Western Roman Empire by 476 CE.
• Battle of Adrianople (378 CE)
  • In 378 CE the Battle of Adrianople was where the Roman Army under Valens was defeated by Fritigern.
  • It is considered by historians to be the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire.