The Goths

Q: Who were the Goths?

The Goths were a Germanic tribe whose history was first written in the Roman era. Their culture was highly sophisticated but they are chiefly remembered as "barbarians" who contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West.

Q: Where did the Goths come from originally?

The origin of the Goths is still debated but many scholars believe they came from Scandinavia.

Q: When was the Bible translated from Greek into the Gothic language?

The Bible was translated from Greek into the Gothic language by the Gothic missionary Ulfilas in c. 350.

Q: Why did the Romans regard the Goths as barbarians?

The Romans regarded the Goths as barbarians because their language was unintelligible and their customs foreign.

Joshua J. Mark

Celebrate Our Anniversary with Trivia!

Join us on August 23 for a free virtual trivia party featuring questions about ancient civilizations, U.S. history, unusual historical facts, pop culture, and more.

$633 / $5000

Definition

The Goths were a Germanic tribe who are frequently referenced for their part in the fall of the Roman Empire and their subsequent rise to power in the region of northern Europe, initially in Italy. Prior to their contact with Rome they must have had a long history but there is no written record of it.

More about: The Goths

Timeline

75 CE
Goths mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his writings.
98 CE
Goths mentioned by Tacitus in his work `Germania'.
238 CE
First Gothic invasion of Rome at Histia.
244 CE
The Battle of Misiche.
251 CE
Gothic victory over Roman army at the Battle of Abritus.
257 CE - 263 CE
The Goths raid Greece.
262 CE
The Library of Celsus at Ephesos destroyed by fire during invasion by the Goths.
267 CE
The Goths sack Athens, Corinth, Sparta, and Argos.
c. 267 CE
The Goths plunder and destroy the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
350 CE
Christian missionary Ulfilas translates Bible from Greek to Gothic language.
367 CE - 369 CE
Roman invasions of Gothic territories.
c. 370 CE
Gothic Civil War between Athanaric and Fritigern.
376 CE
The Goths cross the Danube.
c. 376 CE
Hun invasion drives Goths toward Rome.
376 CE
Fritigern leads his people into Roman Thrace.
378 CE
The Battle of Adrianople where Goth army defeats the Romans.
378 CE
Fritigern defeats Roman emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople.
378 CE - 382 CE
First Gothic War with Rome.
395 CE
Epidaurus destroyed by invading Goths.
434 CE - 453 CE
Reign of Attila the Hun who divides the Goths further.
476 CE - 493 CE
Reign of Germanic king Odoacer in Italy, Visigoths given land.
493 CE - 526 CE
Reign of Theodoric the Great, the Ostrogothic king, in Italy.
535 CE - 554 CE
Second Gothic War with Rome.
552 CE
The Battle of Taginae, death of Goth general Totila.
553 CE
The Battle of Mons Lactarius; Goths defeated by the Eastern Roman Empire.
562 CE
Goths dispersed throughout Europe.