Why did the Goths move into the Roman Empire in the 300s?

Answer 1

Two reasons: the first is that the Goths were being threatened by the eastern Mongols and so went westward into the Roman provinces. Another problem some scholars speculate was a famine in their land sent them in search of food elsewhere. Desperation leads to great fighting sometimes, and besides the Goths knew that the Romans were waning in power along the edges of the Empire, so they knew it was a good time to strike at them.

Answer 2

Goths Roman Empire

Answer 3

The goths had existed on the edges of the danube for several centuries, and had been in conflict with the romans at various points in that time. Ammianus marcellinus describes the goths as frightened for their lives as the huns continued spreading and pillaging from the east. the romans did not have enough military power to keep the goths on the other bank of the danube anymore, so the made a deal for the goths to enter the empire.
once in the empire, the goths had no food, no where to go, and the romans had no intention to help them. the goths sacked cities, looting for food, and out of frustration. The Goths defeat the romans at the battle of adrianople, crippling roman military power, and allowed the goths living space in the empire. the goths would continue to strengthen and would continue to be a problem for the romans until the west's eventual collapse.

Answer 4

They were threatened by the Huns, who had moved into what is now Hungary. This is a simplistic explanation, however, because the Goths themselves were different from the Germani and Alemanni that Julius and Octavius Caesar dealt with. They were more culturally and politically advanced and better able to form large political entities.

Answer 5

originally they came in as refugees in 376, seeking asylum in Roman territory from the Huns who were running amuck - plundering, ransaking & murdering.

the emperor Valens agreed, promising them to give land, food & protection, in return the Goths promised to act as soliders in the Roman army.

things quickly spun out of control, with so many people fleeing across the Danube river, particularly considering the general corruption of the Roman empire & a famine broke out. the Goths were denied the food & land promised to them & were basically starved. the corrupt Roman officals even set up a slave trade scheme of women & children in exchange for dog meat for the people to survive on.

naturally the goths were justifibly pissed off & revolted, seven years - they took down emporer Valens, trashed the Roman army, a large percentage of the actual empire itself & forced Rome into signing a peace treaty with them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_War_%28376-382%29

~~~ morgannia

Answer 6

The Goths were responding to threats to their territory from other barbarian tribes.