Gothic War: Battle of Adrianople: A large Roman army led by Emperor Valens is defeated by the Visigoths. Valens is killed along with over half of his army.

The Battle of Adrianople, also known as Battle of Hadrianopolis, was fought between the Eastern Roman army led by the Roman emperor Valens and Gothic rebels, led by Fritigern. The battle took place on 9 August 378 in the vicinity of Adrianople, in the Roman province of Thracia. It ended with an overwhelming victory for the Goths and the death of Emperor Valens.

Theodosius obeliszk - Isztambul, 2014.10.23 (2)
Theodosius obeliszk - Isztambul, 2014.10.23 (2) (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Test Adrianopoli -- 376
Test Adrianopoli -- 376 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Roman Empire Trajan 117AD
Roman Empire Trajan 117AD (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Animated map of the Roman territorial evolution from the rise of the city-state of Rome to the fall of the Western Roman Empire
Animated map of the Roman territorial evolution from the rise of the city-state of Rome to the fall of the Western Roman Empire (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Watch: Battle of Adrianople 378 - Roman-Gothic War DOCUMENTARY

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Sources and further reading: Wikipedia — Battle of Adrianople, Gothic War (376–382), Roman Empire, Valens (CC BY-SA). Images: Wikimedia Commons.