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336 the barbarian tribes, that now, almost at the same moment, began to press with redoubled energy against all the harriers of the empire. The Alemanni (Germans) crossed the Rhine—sometime! swarming over the river on the winter's Ice—and, before pursuit could be made, escaped with their booty into the depths of the German forests. The Saxons, pirates of the northern seas, who issued from the mouth of the Elbe, ravaged the Coasts of Gaul and Britain, even pushing their light skiffs far up the riven and creeks of those countries, and carrying spoils from the inland cities. In Britain, the Rets broke through the Wall of Antoninus, and wrested almost the entire island from the hands of the Romans. In Africa, the Moorish and other tribes, issuing from the ravines of the Atlas Mountains and swarming from the deserts of the south, threatened to obliterate the last trace of Roman civilization occupying the narrow belt of fertile territory skirting the sea.

The barbarian tide of invasion seemed thus on the point of overwhelming the empire in the West; but for twelve years Valentmian defended with signal ability and energy, not only his own territories, but aided with arms and counsel his weaker brother Valens in the defence of his. Upon the death of Valentmian, his son Gratian succeeded to his authority (A.D. 375).

The Goths cross the Danube.—The year following the death of Valentinian, an event of the greatest Importance occurred in the East. The Visigoths (Western Goths) dwelling north of the Rower Danube, who had often in hostile bands crossed that river to war against the Roman emperors, now appeared as suppliants in vast multitudes upon its banks. They said that a terrible race whom they were powerless to withstand, had invaded their territories, and Spared neither their homes nor their lives. They begged permission of the Romans to cross the river and settle in Thrace, and promised, should this request be granted, ever to remain the grateful and firm allies of the Roman state.

Valens consented to grant their petition on condition that they should surrender their arms, give up their children as hostages and all be baptized in the Christian faith. Their terror and