Gothic and Vandal Warfare - Gothic Society and Forces in The 3rd and 4th Centuries

Gothic Society and Forces in The 3rd and 4th Centuries

The Gothic tribes did not have long-term standing armies but relied on short-term levies and/or volunteers. Most would return to their farms after some time. Most came on foot and fought as infantry, though some brought horses and fought as cavalry. Like their Roman opponents, most soldiers had thrusting spears, throwing spears, and shields; though swords, and bows, were also used. Unlike their Roman opponents, few could afford metal armor.

The 3rd and 4th-Century Gothic tribes could not match the population or extent of the Roman Empire. The 4th-Century Thervingi settled over about 100,000 km² between the Carpathian mountains, Olt river, Danube river, and Pruth river. (The East Roman Empire held about 1,500,000 km² in round numbers). The destruction of one Gothic army would leave its tribe vulnerable to Roman attacks; the destruction of one Roman army could be countered by other Roman armies moving into the war zone (as happened after Adrianople). Therefore 3rd and 4th-Century Gothic armies could not take as many risks as Roman armies could.

The Gothic people generally settled in unwalled farming settlements along the main rivers. These settlements were vulnerable to Roman, Hunnish, or other attacks, even by small raiding parties. Two Roman-style valla were built, one by Anthanaric on and a second one by an unknown king in the region of Ukraine, Moldovia and Romania.

Valens and the Roman army invaded Therving lands in 367 and 369. Athanaric and his supporters avoided battle; his army abandoned the Danubian plains and retreated into the Carpathian mountains. The Goths could not defeat the Romans in battle and defend their homes.

Alan and Hunnic raiders attacked various Gothic lands in the 370s; they attacked Therving lands c. 375. Athanaric and his supporters sought battle; the main Gothic army assembled on the Dnestr river, with forward units scouted 30 km ahead. The Hunnic raiders avoided the scouts and attacked the main army at night.

The Roman Empire fortified most of its cities and frontier garrisons in the 3rd & 4th Centuries. Fortified settlements were relatively safe from Gothic attacks.

Gothic attackers could choose unfortified targets; these included many cities in the 3rd Century, but were generally restricted to smaller towns and villae by the 4th Century, as more cities were fortified. Alternatively, they could attack fortified targets, relying on surprise, on treachery, or on siege warfare.

In the 3rd Century, several Gothic campaigns went by sea. In the 4th Century, few, if any, Gothic campaigns went by sea.

As soon as large Gothic groups settled on Roman territory, they faced military conflicts with the Roman government (as in the Gothic War (376–382)).

Major wars of the Goths include:

• Gothic raid on Istria (238)
• Gothic raid on Marcianople (249)
• Cniva's Gothic raid on Philippopolis (250–251)
• Seaborne raids on the Balkans (c. 252)
• Seaborne raids on Asia Minor (c. 256)
• Seaborne raid on the Aegean (c. 268)
• Gothic raids on the Balkans (c. 270)
• Aurelian's Roman raids north of the Danube (c. 271)
• Gothic raids on Asia Minor (c. 275)
• Gothic (?) raids in the Balkans (c. 330?)
• Constantine II's Roman invasion north of the Danube (332) 100.000 goths killed. Ariaricus son of the goths king captured
• Constantine Campaign on the left bank of Lower Danube (today Romania), Constantine gain the title DACICUS MAXIMUS
• Julian's Roman invasion of Persia (363) (?)
• Roman Civil War between Procopius and Valens (365)
• Valens' raids on the Thervings (367–369)
• Hunnic raids on the Greuthungs (c. 370)
• Hunnic raids on the Thervings (c. 376)
• Gothic revolt in the Balkans (c. 376–382)
• Gothic Civil War between Fritigern & Athanaric (?)
• Odotheus' crossing of the Danube (?)

Notable battles of the Goths include:

• Abrittus (251)
• Naissus (268)
• Marcianople (376/77)
• Ad Salices (377)
• Adrianople (378)