Roman History by Ammianus - Assignment Example

According to Ammianus’ Res Gestae (31.4), the preferable perspective is that the battle was roman induced against the Gothic since they were not settled and suffered hardships in the process of getting used to the Roman system. In support of this perspective, Ammianus’ Res Gestae 31.4 argues that the battle began in 376 after the death of Christ; the Goths after being displaced decided to get refuge in the Roman Empire. This is in the hope that they would get used to farming and become soldiers. On reaching the empire, the Gothic began revolts led by Lupinicus and Maximus since they were undergoing hardships at the hands of the Romans.

As a result of these attacks by Gothics, the Roman emperor in 378 after the death of Christ decided to retaliate with reinforcement from his allies and the Gothic claimed some Roman territory to stop the battle. This made the emperor furious and combined the army into seven legions composed of war veterans. They aimed at capturing and enslaving the Gothic and taking over the lost territories (Ammianus’ Res Gestae, 31.4).