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West Goths Research Paper

Decent Essays

Jessica Rangel
August 10,2015
Mr.Carter/7th period

Visigoths
The Visigoths or West Goths were the first Germanic people also known as goths,that had a major impact on European history. The Goths were originally from southern Scandinavia and Baltic area. The term Visigoths originally came from the word Ostrogoths which means East Goths. One group differs from the other because one strayed away from the place of origin while the other stayed in the same area. The Goths were hospitable to Roman ways of life, adapted to Roman luxuries, and embraced the Arian form of Christianity. Much of whom were enlisted into the Roman army, and even took offices of state in Constantinople itself. Thus, when the westward drive of a Mongolian people called …show more content…

His beneficiary Theodosius I appeased the Visigoths with gifts for services provided. Relations with the Visigoths lessened after Theodosius I died, his two sons heirs of the land was split in two, Arcadius inherited the Eastern Roman Empire and Honorius inherited the Western portion of the Roman Empire. Furious at the circumstance of military duty set on his people Alaric, directed his troops contrary of Constantinople, but was persuaded to turn his army into Greece, attaining Athens. Alaric, appointed king led them north intoIllyricum . Honoris wanted to conquer Ravenna, but was protected by the Vandal soldier Stilicho, to deal with Alaric's invasion of Italy after 403. Stilicho diverted the attention of Visigoths elsewhere.Stilicho was executed and gave Alaric an opportunity to sack Rome.Unfortunately he dies shortly afterward.The Visigoths then moved on to southern France and Spain , where they finally settled. Despite their belief in …show more content…

famine broke out and in a decisive battle in 378 near Adrianople, in which Valens was killed. The victorious Goths then threatened Constantinople . Theodosius I, who succeeded Valens as emperor in the East, made peace with the Goths and incorporated their army into the Roman forces. From that time on, the Visigoths were an important influence in the Roman Empire. Goths who had established in Moesia became producers and were known as Moeso-Goths.The alteration of Goths to a type of Christianity (Arianism) was due to Ulfilas who translated the Bible to Goths .On the death of Theodosius in 395, the Visigoths renounced their allegiance to Rome and chose Alaric I as their ruler. Alaric invaded Greece and then Italy, and in 410 he captured and pillaged the city of Rome. In that same year he was succeeded by Ataulf, who led the Visigoths across the Pyrenees mountain range into

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