The battle of Adrianople is a significant turning point in history and can be referred to as the beginning of the end for the Roman Empire. Before we can address the battle itself, it is important to narrate the events that led to the assault on the Goths assault on the Romans. The work of Ammianus Marcellinus, a fourth-century Roman soldier, is used by historians as a primary source in regards to the battle of Adrianople.
The Roman Empire was split into two domains, the Eastern and the Western. The Eastern Empire was headed by Emperor Valens and the Western was controlled by Valens nephew, Emperor Gratian. Valens was about 50 years old in the year 378, and Gratian was around 20. Valens was characterized as apathetic and careless, while Gratian …show more content…
Their reputation was horrendous and the abuse placed on the Barbarians by them even more heinous. It came as a surprise when Lupicinus invited Fritigern and Alavivus, the commanders of the Goths, as guests to a banquet in Marcianople. The Gothic leaders were prompted to stay in the city until the night of the dinner. Fight broke out between the Goths and the Roman troops outside the city boundaries. When news of this got to Lupicinus, he called for the execution of the “resident body guard of Alavivus and Fritigern.” News of this request spread quickly among the Goths, and they planned to “storm the walls” of the city. Though many think that Lupicinus’ demand of the execution was in response to the brawls that broke out between the Romans and the Goths. This could have easily been the plan all along. Banquets were “one of the usual venues for treachery in the Roman world.” Lupicinus’ plan of attack could have been the murder of Fritigern and Alavivus at the banquet. Fritigern was not naïve and saw that he too might have been in danger. Fritigern persuaded Lupicinus to let him go, because the only way to halt his people was to confirm that he was still alive and well. But, Lupicinus’ plan to murder the body guards spread amongst the Gothic people too quickly, and they were ready to revolt. According to Ammianus “the people who were still around the walls heard of this with great indignation, and …show more content…
This military trauma was a major turning point in history. The massacre demonstrated that Rome could be defeated, which was not a common concept before the battle at Adrianople. The loss indicated that the east and the west struggled in working together and there was a great deal of valuable land to be conquered. The Roman imperial force never gained back their previous dominance over barbarian invaders. The conflict did not come to an abrupt halt, rather raged on for years. Invading tribes grew stronger, larger, and more powerful and eventually captured and burned the city of Rome in 410. The strongest empire of its time would soon fall, and make its mark in history books all over the
The Roman Empire was split into two domains, the Eastern and the Western. The Eastern Empire was headed by Emperor Valens and the Western was controlled by Valens nephew, Emperor Gratian. Valens was about 50 years old in the year 378, and Gratian was around 20. Valens was characterized as apathetic and careless, while Gratian …show more content…
Their reputation was horrendous and the abuse placed on the Barbarians by them even more heinous. It came as a surprise when Lupicinus invited Fritigern and Alavivus, the commanders of the Goths, as guests to a banquet in Marcianople. The Gothic leaders were prompted to stay in the city until the night of the dinner. Fight broke out between the Goths and the Roman troops outside the city boundaries. When news of this got to Lupicinus, he called for the execution of the “resident body guard of Alavivus and Fritigern.” News of this request spread quickly among the Goths, and they planned to “storm the walls” of the city. Though many think that Lupicinus’ demand of the execution was in response to the brawls that broke out between the Romans and the Goths. This could have easily been the plan all along. Banquets were “one of the usual venues for treachery in the Roman world.” Lupicinus’ plan of attack could have been the murder of Fritigern and Alavivus at the banquet. Fritigern was not naïve and saw that he too might have been in danger. Fritigern persuaded Lupicinus to let him go, because the only way to halt his people was to confirm that he was still alive and well. But, Lupicinus’ plan to murder the body guards spread amongst the Gothic people too quickly, and they were ready to revolt. According to Ammianus “the people who were still around the walls heard of this with great indignation, and …show more content…
This military trauma was a major turning point in history. The massacre demonstrated that Rome could be defeated, which was not a common concept before the battle at Adrianople. The loss indicated that the east and the west struggled in working together and there was a great deal of valuable land to be conquered. The Roman imperial force never gained back their previous dominance over barbarian invaders. The conflict did not come to an abrupt halt, rather raged on for years. Invading tribes grew stronger, larger, and more powerful and eventually captured and burned the city of Rome in 410. The strongest empire of its time would soon fall, and make its mark in history books all over the