In the late Roman Empire, the Germans had already occupied an important position in the empire. Subsequently, the Huns continued to expand in Europe, triggering a series of ethnic migration activities. In the process of fighting against the Huns, the strength of the German tribes was further strengthened. After the collapse of the Hungarian Empire, the Germanic tribes that lost their repression began a positive migration.
The most famous group of Visigoths, as we said before, has invaded the empire since the late 4th century, killed the Roman emperor, and captured the city of Rome. After the Visigoth leader Alaric died of illness, his successor made peace with the Western Roman Empire and won the title of Roman general. At the beginning of the 5th century, the Visigoths crossed Italy along the northern coast of the Mediterranean, into the south of Gaul (present-day France), and then crossed the Billinis Mountains and occupied the Spanish region. They established a strong and stable Visigothic kingdom in southwestern Europe.
Another Germanic tribe, the Vandals, also entered Gaul from northern Europe at an earlier time because they were oppressed by the Huns. After two years of robbery, they took root in Spain. Unexpectedly, within a few years, the Visigoths came over under the instigation of the Roman Empire. The Vandals were blocked by these German brothers in a corner of the peninsula and almost perished. Fortunately, at this time, the Vandals came out with an outstanding leader, Geselik, who had an idea and led the tribe to abandon Spain, cross the Strait of Gibraltar, set foot on the land of North Africa, and began to attack the local Roman army. The Vandals can't beat the Visigoths, but they can't beat the decayed Romans. By 439, the Vandals had occupied the entire northern part of Africa. In 455, they took advantage of the civil strife in Rome, crossed the Mediterranean, captured Rome, and looted for 14 days. Since a large number of valuable cultural relics and books were destroyed during the looting of the Vandals, the term "vandalism" was left behind, which refers to the destruction of culture by barbarism.
The Franks, who originally lived in the lower Rhine, also marched towards Gaul at the beginning of the fifth century and occupied the northeastern part of Gaul.
The Burgundians occupied the southeast of Gaul.
The Anglo, Saxon, and Juti people who originally lived in Jutland and the lower reaches of the Elbe crossed the sea into Britain (UK) and occupied the British Isles. The Celts in Britain were driven to the mainland and occupied the territory of northwest Gaul.
In addition, the Eastern Goths, who were independent from the Huns, occupied parts of the Balkans and later the Italian Peninsula.
In today's German land, there are Bavarians, Turins, Saxons, etc. to fill the gap left by the Germanic brothers after their migration.
In short, as the Germans wandered around in the empire, the imposing Roman Empire was already a "barbaric" song on all sides, and large tracts of territory became the land of the Germans. In the only remaining territory, the Western Roman emperor became a puppet of barbaric generals.
In 475 AD, the Roman general of the barbarian origin, Orest, launched a coup d'etat, blasted away the Western Roman emperor Nipos, and supported his son Romulus to the throne. The following year, in 476 AD, another barbarian general, Odoase, rebelled and killed the barbarian brother Orest, deposed Romulus, and was adopted by his barbarian army as "Eda King Lee".
(Gold coin with the head of Romulus)
Since 476, the title of "Emperor of Western Rome" has disappeared forever. But from another level, the previous "Emperor" Romulus was only the son of the barbarian general Orist, and was a puppet after the rebellion. Therefore, some historians regard 476 as the demise of Western Rome, and some believe that Western Rome was destroyed in 475.
No matter in which year it is counted, there is always no doubt that the Western Roman Empire will be destroyed in the hands of the Germans.
In the ruins of the Roman Empire, many Germanic countries are flourishing. These "barbarians" will bring a completely different impact to Europe and the entire world.
