• Visigoths AD 500

The Visigoths had migrated into Roman territory as early as 376, having been defeated by the Huns. Mistreated by Roman officials, they rebelled against their hosts and annihilated a Roman army at the battle of Adrianople in 378. They then spent many years wandering through the empire before going on to sack Rome in 410 and settling down in south-western Gaul in 415. The Visigothic people enjoyed a tense relationship with the empire, constantly expanding their territory, but on the whole they regarded themselves as allies (or federates) of Rome until 475 when their leader declared himself to be an independent king. They now rule a huge territory in Gaul and Spain. They are Arian Christians, but by now have established good relations with their Catholic subjects.

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