--- title: Migration Age author: Jan van der Crabben source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration_Age/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Migration Age _Authored by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/)_ The Migration Period, also called the Barbarian Invasions or German: Völkerwanderung (wandering of the peoples), was a period of human migration that occurred roughly between 300 to 700 CE in [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/), marking the transition from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages. These movements were catalyzed by profound changes within both the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) and the so-called 'barbarian frontier'. Migrating peoples during this period included the [Huns](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huns/), [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/), [Vandals](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/), Bulgars, Alans, Suebi, Frisians, and [Franks](https://www.worldhistory.org/Franks/), among other Germanic and Slavic tribes. The migration movement may be divided into two phases: The first phase, between 300 and 500 CE, put Germanic peoples in control of most areas of the former [Western Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Western_Roman_Empire/). The first to formally enter [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) territory — as refugees from the Huns — were the [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) in 376. Tolerated by the Romans on condition that they defend the Danube frontier, they rebelled, eventually invading [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) and sacking [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) itself in 410 CE, before settling in [Iberia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/iberia/) and founding a kingdom there that endured 300 years. They were followed into Roman territory by the [Ostrogoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/ostrogoth/) led by [Theodoric the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theodoric_the_Great/), who settled in Italy itself. In [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/), the Franks, a fusion of western Germanic tribes whose leaders had been strongly aligned with Rome, entered Roman lands more gradually and peacefully during the 5th century, and were generally accepted as rulers by the Roman-Gaulish population. Fending off challenges from the Allemanni, Burgundians and Visigoths, the Frankish kingdom became the nucleus of the future states of France and Germany. Meanwhile, [Roman Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Britain/) was more slowly invaded and settled by Angles and [Saxons](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/).[ ![Routes of the Barbarian Invaders](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/242.png?v=1775147426) Routes of the Barbarian Invaders The Department of History, United States Military Academy (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/242/routes-of-the-barbarian-invaders/ "Routes of the Barbarian Invaders")The second phase, between 500 and 700 CE, saw Slavic tribes settling in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in eastern Magna Germania, and gradually making it predominantly Slavic. The Bulgars, a now-Slavicized people possibly of Turkic origin who had been present in far Eastern Europe since the 2nd century CE, conquered the eastern Balkan territory of the [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) in the 7th century CE. The [Lombards](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lombards/), a Germanic people, settled northern Italy in the region now known as Lombardy. Migrations of peoples, although not strictly part of the 'Migration Age', continued beyond AD 1000, marked by [Viking](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vikings/), Magyar, Moorish, Turkic and [Mongol](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mongol_Empire/) invasions, and these also had significant effects, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Jan is the Founder & Chairman of World History Encyclopedia and is the organisation's Director of Design & Technology. He holds an MA War Studies from King's College, and he has worked in the field of history-related digital media since 2006. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/janvdc) ## Timeline - **167 CE**: Marcomanni sack [Aquileia](https://www.worldhistory.org/aquileia/). - **257 CE - 263 CE**: The [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/) raid [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). - **267 CE**: The [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/) sack [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/), [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/), [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/), and [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/). - **300 CE - 700 CE**: [Migration Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration_Age/) in [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/). - **367 CE**: [Picts](https://www.worldhistory.org/picts/), Scots, [Saxons](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/), and [Franks](https://www.worldhistory.org/Franks/) attack the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). - **372 CE**: [Huns](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huns/) [conquer](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) the [Ostrogoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/ostrogoth/). - **376 CE**: The [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/) cross the Danube. - **376 CE**: The [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) are fleeing the [Huns](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huns/), entering the [Eastern Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/). - **378 CE**: [Fritigern](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fritigern/) defeats [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) Valens at the [Battle of Adrianople](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Adrianople/). - **402 CE**: Ravenna becomes the capital of the [Western Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Western_Roman_Empire/). - **406 CE**: [Vandals](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/), Suevi, and Alans invade [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/). - **410 CE**: [Alaric](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alaric/) of the [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) sacks [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). - **418 CE**: [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) settle in Aquitaine. - **429 CE**: [Vandals](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/) cross Spain to the Maghreb. - **450 CE**: Angles and [Saxons](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saxons/) settle [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/). - **451 CE**: Aetius defeats [Attila](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Attila/) of the [Huns](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huns/) at the [Battle of the Catalaunian Fields](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/995/the-battle-of-the-catalaunian-fields/), together with [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s allies. - **455 CE**: [Vandals](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/) sack [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). - **462 CE**: [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) expand into Spain. - **480 CE**: [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) Nepos, the last Western [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/), dies. This is the `unofficial' end of the [Western Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Western_Roman_Empire/). - **486 CE**: [Clovis I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Clovis_I/) of the [Franks](https://www.worldhistory.org/Franks/) defeats the Romans in [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/). Founding of the Frankish kingdom. - **488 CE - 493 CE**: [Theodoric the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theodoric_the_Great/) of the [Ostrogoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/ostrogoth/) conquers [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/). - **503 CE**: [Clovis I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Clovis_I/) converts to [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/). - **507 CE**: Clovis defeats the [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) and drives them into the Iberian peninsula. - **533 CE - 534 CE**: The [Vandal](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/) [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) launched by Emperor [Justinian I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Justinian_I/), aimed a reconquering [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) from the [Vandals](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/). - **534 CE**: Justinian of the [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) conquers the [Vandal](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vandals/) kingdom in [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/). - **535 CE - 554 CE**: The Gothic [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) launched by Emperor [Justinian I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Justinian_I/), aimed at reconquering [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) from the [Goths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/). - **536 CE - 562 CE**: The [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) conquers [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/). - **554 CE**: [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) conquers southern [Iberia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/iberia/). - **568 CE - 582 CE**: [Lombards](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lombards/) invade northern [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/). - **571 CE**: [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) [conquer](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) Cordoba. ## External Links - [Barbarians and Romans | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/barb/hd_barb.htm) ## Cite This Work ### APA Crabben, J. v. d. (2010, July 15). Migration Age. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration\_Age/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration_Age/) ### Chicago Crabben, Jan van der. "Migration Age." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 15, 2010. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration\_Age/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration_Age/). ### MLA Crabben, Jan van der. "Migration Age." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Jul 2010, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration\_Age/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration_Age/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 15 July 2010. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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