The Huns' incursions into Eastern Europe set off a chain reaction, as they displaced other tribes, including the Goths, who were forced to move westward into Roman territory. The Huns' relentless attacks destabilized much of Europe, and by the mid-5th century, they were threatening both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. The Romans saw the Huns as a symbol of destruction and chaos, an unstoppable force that threatened the very existence of their empire.
Although Attila died in 453 AD, the Huns' impact on Roman history was long-lasting. Their invasions, along with the migrations of other tribes they caused, contributed to the fragmentation of the Western Roman Empire and the collapse of its once-imposing power.
The Celts: Ancient Enemies of Rome
Long before the Germanic and Hunnic invasions, the Romans encountered another group of "barbarians"—the Celts. The Celts were an Indo-European people spread across much of Western Europe, including present-day France, the British Isles, and parts of the Iberian Peninsula. The Romans first clashed with the Celts during the 4th century BC, when the Gauls (a Celtic tribe) sacked Rome in 390 BC. This event left a deep mark on the Roman psyche, and for centuries, the Celts were viewed as a major threat to Roman security.
The Roman conquest of Celtic territories began with Julius Caesar's campaigns in Gaul (58–50 BC), during which the Romans defeated several powerful Celtic tribes. However, even after Caesar's victory, the Celts continued to pose a threat to Roman control, particularly in Britain and the northern provinces. The Romans built Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain to mark the furthest extent of Roman control and to keep the Celts at bay. Despite Roman dominance, many Celtic tribes resisted Roman rule, and their cultural influence remained a significant part of Europe’s identity. shutdown123