The Roman Empire: The Battle Of Adrianople

The battle of Adrianople is a significant turning point in history and can be referred to as the beginning of the end for the Roman empire. Before we can address the battle, itself. It is important to narrate the events that led to the assault on the Romans by the Goths. The work of Ammianus Marcellinus, a fourth-century roman soldier, is used by historians as a primary source in regards to the battle of Adrianople.

The Roman empire was split into two domains, the Eastern and the Western. The Eastern Empire was headed by Emperor Valens and the Western was controlled by Valens nephew, Emperor Gratian. Valens was about 50 years old in the year 378, and Gratian was around 20. Valens was characterized as apathetic and careless. While Gratian was

said to be young, successful, and skillful. Though there is no substantial evidence of Valens being jealous of Gratian and Western Rome’s success. This could have influenced Valens later decisions when it came to battle.
Geography is a primary cause of battle.

The Goths were a nomadic people who were trying to escape their native homeland which faced Rome. The only thing that divided the two lands was the Danube River. Their homeland was being consumed and over populated by new people. According to Ammianus, “the Huns, a mysterious and lethal new people, appear as if from no where, smash the only somewhat less savage, the Alans, and drive through the Greuthungian kingdom of Ermanaric, pressing a horde of Gothic refugees forward to the Danube.” (Battle of Adrianople) Their animosity grew strong and their desperation to escape even stronger. They sought admission to the Roman empire and began crossing the Danube in 376 “having done so with the full approval of the imperial government.” (Battle of Adrianople) This was not the first time that barbarians were accepted into the empire. In fact, this was a common procedure and in the past it had proved to be successful. (battle of Adrianople) Although they were eventually admitted into the empire. It didn’t happen right away. Goths began by camping outside of the border of the empire. After being there for an extended period of time, their food ran out. They were starving and tired. Legend says that they traded their children as slaves and in return would receive dogs to eat. Their treatment after admitted into the empire was not any better. The passage of the Goths in overwhelming numbers, how many actually crossed is unknown, and the admission

by the Romans was the first crucial blunder that ultimately led to the demise of the Roman Empire.
There were two Roman officials in charge of the crossing: Lupicinus and Maximus. Their reputation was horrendous and the abuse placed on the Barbarians by them even more heinous. It came as a surprise when Lupicinus invited Fritigern and Alavivus, the commanders of the Goths, as guests to a banquet in Marcianople. The Gothic leaders were prompted to stay in the city until the night of the dinner. Fight broke out between the Goths and the Roman troops outside the city boundaries. When news of this got to Lupicinus, he called for the execution of the “resident body guard of Alavivus and Fritigern.” (Battle of Adrianople) News of this request spread quickly among the Goths, and they planned to “storm the walls” of the city. (Battle of Adrianople). Though many think that Lupicinus’ demand of the execution was in response to the brawls that broke out between the Romans and the Goths. This could have easily been the plan all along. Banquets were “one of the usual venues for treachery in the Roman world.” (battle of Adrianople) Lupicinus plan of attack could have been the murder of Fritigern and Alavivus at the banquet. Fritigern was not naïve and saw that he too might have been in danger. But, Lupicinus’ plan to murder the body guards spread amongst the Gothic people too quickly, and they were ready to revolt. Fritigern persuaded Lupicinus to let him go, because the only way to halt his people was to confirm that he was still alive and well. Maybe it was the consistent abuse his people were facing by the Romans, or the fact that Lupicinus was plotting to kill him, but when he arrived back with his people he made an impromptu decision to lead his followers into a revolt. Lupicinus and his army met the Goths just outside Marcianople and battle began. The Goths emerged victorious in this blood-soaked battle. They gained weaponry and armor from Lupicinus’ lifeless soldiers. This death of around 5000 legionaries should have been seen as a warning or foreshadowing of what was going to happen to the Roman empire. Little did the Romans know, this uprising was the beginning to a revolt that would continue until the Goths succeeded by aiding the fall of the Roman Empire.
As time passed, small revolts were becoming more and more frequent.

It is not significant to point out all of the minor conflicts because they were all similar and there isn’t a specific act that started the battle of Adrianople. Rather, a culmination of small revolts, other angry people joining Fritigern’s army, and the over all mistreatment by the Romans. It is important to remember that the Goths were not one specific type of people, rather a mix. Their army was growing more and more each day, gaining the Alans and the Huns. Their large growing army, and unpredictable style began to worry the Roman emperors in 377. The first imperial response implicated by Valens was to send generals to Thrace to try and contain the Goths. Gratian worried that Valens underestimated the power of the Goths and sent support to the eastern troops. Valens troops and Gratian’s troops joined forces and pushed the Goths outward to a region known as “Ad Salices (the Willows).” This is the last battle that is important enough to make note of before the battle of Adrianople. There was no clear winner, both sides embraced massive loss. The casualties that the Goths embodied, dented their army but did not destroy it. The Romans believed that the damage they inflicted was enough to halt the Goths. They were wrong. The Goths soon allied with new groups of the Alans and the Huns. Their army regained their number and began making their trek toward Adrianople where history would be

made.
The Goths bypassed Adrianople and continued until they reached the road station at Nike, where they would begin preparation for war. Valens received news of their arrival and sent out undercover roman soldiers to observe what they were going to be up against. They relayed information that it appeared the Gothic army only had about 10,000 people. This wasn’t the case. The number the imperial force returned with was inaccurate. A large number of the Gothic cavalry were scattered in nearby ravines in search of food for their horses. The Gothic army gave the impression they were much smaller than they actually were. Valens nephew, Gratian sent message urging Valens to wait for his arrival so he and his troops could help. But, Valens was satisfied with the “small” number, and was ready to fight a battle he knew they would win.
Perhaps it was the jealousy that raged through Valens blood, or the desire for a victory that he didn’t have to share with anyone that pushed Valens into a decision. He had made the choice to fight before Gratian would arrive. Fritigern was not ready to commence and was searching for more time. He started sending messages to Valens asking for a peace compromise. Fritigern knew the whole time this was just a ploy to obtain more time to prepare, but Valens saw his army weakening on the hot August morning and thought it might be a better option to negotiate. This would give his army time to rest, and possibly eliminate the idea of combat.
Neither side wanted to take action when it did, but battle launched on August 9th 378. The right wing of the Roman army “advanced prematurely and engaged the enemy.” (Battle of Adrianople) The rest of the imperial force were not expecting advancement and were not in war formation. Seizing his opportunity Fritigern launched a cavalry attack along the entire roman line. This advance foreshadowed the vigorous reign executed by the Goths. The remains of the Roman artillery rest cold and lifeless as the beautiful August day disappeared and grew into the cool black night. Two thirds of the Roman army perished that day in battle, including Emperor Valens. How the death of the emperor occurred, is unknown. One possibility is his life was taken on the battle field. The other is that he was wounded and brought to a nearby farmhouse, but the Goths discovered his location and set the house aflame with the emperor and his guards inside.
The outcome of this war came as a shock to all assuming that Roman victory was predicted by everyone. This military trauma was a major turning point in history. The massacre demonstrated that Rome could be defeated, which was not a common concept before the battle at Adrianople. The loss indicated that the east and the west struggled in working together and there was a great deal of valuable land to be conquered. The Roman imperial force never gained back their previous dominance over barbarian invaders. The conflict did not come to an abrupt halt, rather raged on for years. Invading tribes grew stronger, larger, and more powerful and eventually captured and burned the city of Rome in 410. The strongest empire of its time would soon fall, and make its mark in history books all over the world.