Migration Period

Quick Facts: Who was Migration Period?

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Migration Period

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A transformative era (c. 300–600 AD) marked by massive population shifts across Europe.

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Origins & Early Life

The Migration Period (c. 300 to 600 AD), also known as the Barbarian Invasions, was a period in European history and late antiquity marked by large-scale migrations that saw the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent settlement of its former territories by various tribes, and the establishment of post-Roman kingdoms there. The term refers to the important role played by the migration, invasion, and settlement of various tribes, notably the Burgundians, Vandals, Goths, Alemanni, Alans, Huns, early Slavs, Pannonian Avars, Bulgars, and Magyars, within or into the territories of Europe as a whole and of the Western Roman Empire in particular. Historiography traditionally takes the period as beginning in AD 375 (possibly as early as 300) and ending in 568. Various factors contributed to this phenomenon of migration and invasion, and their role and significance are still widely discussed. Historians differ as to the dates for the beginning and ending of the Migration Period.

Career & Major Achievements

The beginning of the period is widely regarded as the invasion of Europe by the Huns from Asia in about 375, and the ending with the Lombards' conquest of Italy in 568, but a more loosely set period extends from as early as 300 to as late as 800. For example, in the 4th century, the Empire settled a very large group of Goths as foederati within the Roman Balkans, and the Franks were settled south of the Rhine in Roman Gaul. In 406, a particularly large and unexpected crossing of the Rhine was made by a group of Vandals, Alans, and Suebi. As central power broke down in the Western Roman Empire, the Roman military became more important but was dominated by men of barbarian origin. There are contradictory opinions as to whether the fall of the Western Roman Empire was a result of an increase in migrations, or if both the breakdown of central power and the increased importance of non-Romans created additional internal factors.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Migrations, and the use of non-Romans in the military, were known in the periods before and after, and the Eastern Roman Empire adapted and continued to exist until the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. The fall of the Western Roman Empire, although it involved the establishment of competing barbarian kingdoms, was to some extent managed by the Eastern emperors. Individual migrating groups varied considerably in size, from war bands of a few thousand to entire tribal groups numbering over 100,000. Modern estimates suggest the Gothic crossing of the Danube in 376 brought 90,000–200,000 people into the Empire; the Rhine crossing of 406 involved a coalition of Vandals, Alans, and Suebi estimated at up to 200,000 people; and the Ostrogoths under Theodoric numbered 100,000–200,000 when they invaded Italy in 489. Estimates for the Anglo-Saxon migration to Britain range from 20,000 to 200,000, while the Lombard invasion of Italy in 568 has been estimated at around 150,000.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1453: 1453 Milestone — Migrations, and the use of non-Romans in the military, were known in the periods before and after, and the Eastern Roman Empire adapted and continued to exist until the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Migration Period

True or False: “The fall of the Western Roman Empire was solely caused by external migrations from barbarian tribes.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While migrations were crucial, historians debate if internal factors and the breakdown of central power played equally significant roles.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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Frequently Asked Questions about Migration Period