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Tacitus, a Roman historian, was the first person to write a historical account of the Goths in his work "Germania". He stated that the Goths were identified by their round shields, short swords, large bodies, and obedience to their kings.
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The Goths moved south from their native lands of Scandinavia. The first phase of the migration put the Goths in control of most of the former western Roman Empire
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The first Gothic invasion of Rome took place when they attacked the city of Histia. The city was an attractive target to the Goths because the Roman milititary was weak at the time.
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Gordian III, the Roman Emperor, assembled a military from all Roman, German, and Goth lands to invade the Sasanian Empire. The Roman force was destroyed and Gordian was killed.
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This battle was fought between the armies of Rome under the emperor Decius, and the Goths under the leadership of Cniva. The Goths defeated the Roman army and killed Decius and his son.
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The Goths launched many successful attacks on Pityus, Bithynia, and Propontis. By the end of the seaborne raids, the Goths had taken control over Crimea peninsula and the Bosporus.
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The Goths sack several cities of Greece including Athens, Corinth, Argos, and Sparta. Afterwards, the Athenian military were able to push the invaders north.
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The Christian missionary Ulfilas translates the Bible from Greek to the Gothic language. However, the Goth tribes did not adopt Christianity until around 376.
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Valens, the Roman emperor, crossed the Danube River and successfully attacked the Visigoths in 367. In 369, Valens crossed again and the leader of the Visigoths was forced to conclude a truce.
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Valens allowed the Goths to settle on the south bank of the Danube River. He even assisted the Goths during the settlement, but the Goths were disarmed due to their agreement.
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Valens led an army to the location of the Gothic rebel army, but the Roman forces were greatly outnumbered. The Goths defeated them in battle, and Emperor Valens was wounded and killed.
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The Gothic War was a series of battles between the Goths and the Romans. The war was a major turning point in the history of the Roman Empire and led to a series of events that would cause the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
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Rebellious slaves of Rome opened the Salarian Gate and allowed the Visigoths to enter Rome. The Visigoths pillaged the city for three days ransacking multiple buildings, stealing goods, and destroying most of the city in a fire.
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Attila was the leader of the Huns, and the weakness of Rome after the Battle of Adrianople encouraged Attila to make and break treaties. He destroyed many Roman cities and created an empire that stretched from central Asia to modern-day France.
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The Vandals led a severe attack against the Rome and the empire fell in 476. The Germanic King Odovacer overthrew Roman Emperor Romulus Augustulus and declared himself King of Italy.
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Theodoric was the kind of the Ostrogoths in Italy and governor of the Visigoths. He kept good relations between the Ostrogoths and the Romans and maintained a legal administration in Rome.
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This Gothic war took place between the Byzantine Empire and the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy. The Roman Emperor Justinian wanted to recover the former provinces of the Western Roman Empire which the Romans had lost to the barbarians during the Migration Period.
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Totila was the last king of the Ostrogoths in Italy. After Totila's death in a battle against the Romans, the Goths continued their resistance to Roman rule but were eventually crushed.
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Jordanes was a historian who stated that the Goths sailed from Sweden to what is modern-day Poland. Jordanes, who had a Gothic heritage, explains that the Goths “are said to have come forth long ago under their king, Berig by name.”
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Different colonies in the west separated into smaller kingdoms ruled by the Goths, beginning the Medieval Period. Roman influence decreased and a new architectural style emerged, such as the Basilica of Saint Denis, the first "Gothic" style of architecture.
