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The '''Visigoths''' were a confederacy of [[Germanic tribe]]s, who migrated from the Baltic area to the Danube River, pressed by the advancing [[Huns]]. They were offered entrance into [[Roman|Rome]] territory on peaceful terms by the Emperor [[Valens]]. However, the Romans did not provide the Visigoths with enough food and provisions as a famine struck.

The '''Visigoths''' and Ostrogoths were branches of the nomadic tribes of Germanic peoples referred to as the Goths. The Visigoths separated from the Ostrogoths in the 4th century AC, and settled agriculturists in Dacia. In 376 A.D., Visigoths migrated from the Baltic area to the Danube River, pressed by the advancing [[Huns]]. They were offered entrance into [[Roman|Rome]] territory on peaceful terms by the Emperor [[Valens]]. However, the Romans did not provide the Visigoths with enough food and provisions as a famine struck. The Visigoths rose up against the Romans and crushed their main army at the [[Battle of Adrianople]] in 378 A.D. As the [[Roman Empire]] became more unstable, they found it more difficult to stop the Visigoths and other barbarian tribes. This culminated in the Visigothic sacking of [[Rome]] in 410 A.D., under the rule of [[Alaric I]]. [[Saint Augustine]] chronicled this horrific defeat, and the shockwave it sent throughout the world, intellectually and physically, in his major work, ''[[City of God]]."

The Visigoths rose up against the Romans and crushed their main army at the [[Battle of Adrianople]].  As the [[Roman Empire]] became more unstable, they found it more difficult to stop the Visigoths and other barbarian tribes.  This culminated in the Visigothic sacking of [[Rome]] in 410 A.D., under the rule of [[Alaric I]].  [[Saint Augustine]] chronicled this horrific defeat, and the shockwave it sent throughout the world, intellectually and physically, in his major work, ''[[City of God]]."

Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths gained control over [[Rome]] when they deposed [[Romulus Augustulus]], the last emperor, in 476 A.D. However, they were later defeated by the [[Ostrogoths]] under the command of [[Theoderic]], on orders from the [[Byzantine]] ruler [[Zeno]].

Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths gained control over [[Rome]] when they deposed [[Romulus Augustulus]], the last emperor, in 476 A.D.  However, they were later defeated by the [[Ostrogoths]] under the command of [[Theoderic]], on orders from the [[Byzantine]] ruler [[Zeno]].

The Visigoths eventually moved to settle South Western Gaul ([[France]]) with Tolouse as their capital, but were defeated by the [[Franks]] under [[Clovis]] and henceforward had their territory in [[Spain]] with Toledo as their capital. They later converted to [[Roman Catholic]] whilst in Spain under King Reccared, having before been [[Arianism|Arian]].

The Visigoths eventually moved to settle South Western Gaul ([[France]]) with Tolouse as their capital, but were defeated by the [[Franks]] under [[Clovis]] and henceforward had their territory in [[Spain]] with Toledo as their capital.  They later converted to [[Roman Catholic]] whilst in Spain under King Reccared, having before been [[Arianism|Arian]].

The Visigothic Kingdom in Spain fell to the Islamic [[Moors]] in AD 711.  Their last king was Roderick.  

The Visigothic Kingdom in Spain fell to the Islamic [[Moors]] in AD 711. Their last king was Roderick.  

 

*[http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/630568/Visigoth Visigoth.]

*[http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/westeurope/Visigoths.html The Visigoths.]

[[Category:Medieval History]]

[[Category:Medieval History]]