The prospect of a return to peace and settled life in Spain seemed more distant than in Gaul. Soon after the Visigoths had departed, war broke out between Gunderic, king of the Asding Vandals, and Hermeric, king of the Suevians. Continue reading “Dismemberment of the Roman Empire in the West: Sueves and Vandals in Spain – The Vandal Conquest of Africa”
Wallia and the Visigothic settlement in Gaul
After a short intervening reign Wallia was elected king; and Wallia is an important person in the history of the Visigoths, for it was he who succeeded in marking out the limits of their new kingdom in Gaul. Continue reading “Wallia and the Visigothic settlement in Gaul”
Comparative size of the Roman and German armies before and during the Invasions – The Germanic penetration of the Empire
The general result of inquiries into the size of the army after its radical re-organization by Diocletian and Constantine is that its total strength was between 600,000 and 650,000. Continue reading “Comparative size of the Roman and German armies before and during the Invasions – The Germanic penetration of the Empire”
Administrative and Military condition of the Roman Empire before the German Invasions
In the third century the Empire was declining. This was due not only to external troubles, such as wars with the new Persian Empire which had arisen in the east, but much more to internal dissensions and disruptions, civil wars and contests for the imperial throne. Continue reading “Administrative and Military condition of the Roman Empire before the German Invasions”
Gothic migrations & The Visigothic occupation of Dacia
Early Gothic migrations
The events of the fifth century were decisive for the future of Europe. The general results of these events was the occupation of the western half of the Roman Empire, from Britain to North Africa, by German peoples. Continue reading “Gothic migrations & The Visigothic occupation of Dacia”
German invasions & The reign of Justinian the Great
The German invasions of the fourth and fifth centuries were the principal cause of the differing fortunes of East and West, and the decisive factor was the geographical and strategic position of Constantinople, lying at the northern apex of the triangle which included the rich coast-line of the eastern Mediterranean. Continue reading “German invasions & The reign of Justinian the Great”