James Baquet

The Goths were having a hard time of it. The Huns — those Central Asian nomads whose most famous leader was Attila — had displaced them from their home territory, and the Goths had asked to settle in the eastern portion of the Roman Empire. The Emperor Valens granted permission, hoping they would settle down to farming, and perhaps serve in the Roman army.

However, once the Goths had crossed the Danube and settled in Roman territory, the Roman provincial commanders had extorted the newcomers to the point of starvation, and the Goths revolted against their rapacious ways. Valens (who was Emperor only of the Eastern Roman Empire) called on Gratian, Emperor of the West, for help in fighting the Goths, in 376.

The next two years saw a series of hit-and-run battles, with no clear advantage on either side. Then, in 378, things came to a head after Valens called in more troops from Syria and Gratian brought others from Gaul.

The Roman commanders marched toward Adrianople as the Goths organized their forces. Fritigern, the Goth leader, was marching south toward Adrianople with 10,000 men; Valens, with perhaps twice that many, was ensconced in the fort at Adrianople. Desirous of a glorious victory, he ignored messages from some of his commanders suggesting that he wait for impending reinforcements, and, believing in his numerical superiority, rushed toward battle on Aug. 9.

Sadly, Valens’ scouts had not taken into account a number of Goth cavalrymen who were out foraging for food. The armies were probably of about equal size, but the Romans were exhausted after marching roughly eight miles over difficult terrain to reach the Goths’ encampment. While negotiations were being conducted, some of the Roman units “jumped the gun” and attacked without support.

As they struggled to retreat, the Gothic cavalry returned and routed the Romans.

Valens was not seen after the battle. His body may have lain unidentified on the battlefield. Or, he may have escaped, and been killed in one of the lesser encounters that took place later in the day.

Vocabulary:

Which words above mean:

1. marked by a sudden, fierce attack and quick retreat

2. reached a point where something must be done

3. gathering (food)

4. started before the appropriate time

5. took goods by force, especially because of their position

6. pushed out

7. death from hunger

8. about to happen

9. lodged, settled securely

10. extraordinarily greedy