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Ostrogoths
One of the two main branches of Goths (westerners are Visigoths); subjugated by Huns around the 370s CE, broke free in the 460s, raided in Eastern Roman Danube areas from the 470s. Under Theodoric, sent West by Zeno, where they unseated Odovacar and set up a Gothic-Roman administration and state in Italy. Pressured by Franks in north from the 510s, defeated by Byzantine forces 535-552 and dispersed.
Visigoths
The western Goths, they settled north of Thrace and east of the Adriatic Balkans. Coming into Roman lands initially with imperial agreement in 375, they soon rebelled against the Roman’s negligent treatment and defeated Valens in 378, then moved westward from 395. When no Roman authority would consent to their integration into Roman forces in exchange for food, their leader Alaric led an invasion of Italy resulting in the plundering of Rome. After failing to get to North Africa, the Visigoths, under Athaulf and Wallia, moved north from Italy into Gaul, where they fought for Rome against claimants. In late 418, they were made foederati, settled in western Gaul, and allowed hospitalitas. They moved from their assigned lands to Iberia after the 430s, although they assisted Aetius to defeat Huns in 451. Kingdom in Spain lasted to around 700.
Huns
Turco-Altaic tribal hordes from Central Asia, begin pushing Germanic tribes West to Rhine and Danube from 350s. The Huns defeated and subjugated Gepids and Ostrogoths in 360s, sending other tribes over the rivers into Roman lands. Begin raiding East Rome directly from 430s under kings, such as Rugilla. Attila, leader from the 440s, extorted tribute from the East Roman Emperor. Marcian refused tribute increases; Huns went west, raiding in Gaul and Italy 451-4. Attila died in 454, losing a revolt of subjugated Germanics forcing the Huns to scatter.
Burgundians
Barbarian tribe moving through Roman Gaul 401-430s, settled in central France, pushed to southwest.
Franks
Germanic tribe living between Rhine and Elbe, from 300s. From the 400s, start to come over Rhine, but do not get far into Gaul. Two groups—Ripuarian, staying on east of Rhine, and Salic, coming to west side. The two groups remained in contact, and each had large numbers of peasants settling ground closely. The Franks produced first post-Roman large Gallic state.
Alan
Tribal group originating perhaps on Iranian plateau; Germanic by the 300s, surged over Roman border from 406.
Isaurians
Mountain people ranging from East Cappadocia to Taurus mountains. Provided military power to East Rome; Zeno was an Isaurian chief.
Vandals
Barbarian tribe that migrated across Rhine in 401-406, then passed through Gaul and into Spain. In 430s crossed over to N. Africa. Sacked and occupied Carthage, where it set up a pirate state and sailed to Rome in 451 to sack it. Gaiseric was their king. Were Arians, oppressed N. Africa Catholics. Destroyed by Belisarius in 533.
Bulgars
A nomadic group from the Ukraine, perhaps related to the Huns, they began to penetrate Thrace and raid from early 500s. Two subunits, the Utrigurs in the East, and the Kutrigurs in the West, could be used against each other. From 540s, they began to lead Slavs as far as southern Greece. In the 7th century founded a state, and in the 9th century an empire. Subdued in the 10th century.
Slavs
A forest people in the woods east of original German settlement areas, moved to the lower Danube when the Huns fell. Very uncivilized, pagan, had no visible government structures. Began raiding Eastern Rome from the 500s, but new Roman walls prevented tremendous damage. In the 540s, raids increased under the leadership of Bulgars. Justinian built three chains of east-west fortifications, which would cause Slavic-Bulgar losses upon their return from plundering.
Avars
A barbarian tribe, raided and exacted tribute, then stayed in Byzantine lands, creating a Danube state post-570. Caused peasant flight, as well as full-scale urban decline in the Balkans and even Thrace. Also caused problems for Heraclius, who was fighting Persians at time. Both besieged Constantinople in 626.
Lombards
Barbarian tribe from beyond Danube, came west in 550s and invaded Italy from 568, setting up a kingdom in the north as well as duchies of Spoleto and Benevento in South. Pressured Pope, raided severely, brought on Dark Ages. Defeated by Pepin III and Charlemagne.
Vikings
Scandinavian pagan raiders who began an onslaught against Europe from 790s, beginning with Britain. Hit mainland in 820s, menacing France and Germany to the 920s. Went East to Russia as well.
Magyars
Tribes, perhaps Turkish, pushed to Hungary in late 700s. Raided in Austrasia and Italy from 820s. Finally stopped in 930s-955. Converted to Christianity, stayed in Hungary.
Varangians
Vikings going into Russia from 800s, as far south as Kiev, a new outpost. Visited Constantinople with “trade and raid” in mind.
