The Lower Danube Region under Pressure: from Valens to Heraclius

This chapter describes developments in the territory north of the Haemus mountains — included in the late Roman provinces of Moesia Superior, Dacia Ripensis, Moesia Inferior and Scythia Minor — from the late fourth to the early seventh century. It examines the impact of the Gothic war of 376–382 and the successive destructive invasions by Goths, Huns, Avars, Sclavenes and Slavs of 441 and 447 on these provinces. It also looks at attempts to restore the defences and settlements of the region from the late fifth century onwards, particularly in the reign of emperor Justinian (527–565). Periods of invasion were followed by phases of peace and reconstruction, but recovery never came even close to restoring the territory to its condition before these invasions. By the end of the first quarter of the seventh century, the Roman organization of the area had been wiped out.