Theodosius’ War with the Goths

Abstract

After the appalling defeat of the roman army in the battle of Adrianople on August 9, 378 the victorious goths, together with the huns and the alans, completely deluged thrace and a part of illyricum. Free of roman control, they represented a grave danger to the roman empire. One of the most urgent tasks of Theodosius, the new emperor, was therefore to successfully put an end to fighting and to subject the nations involved in the war so as to suit Roman interests.