I have read through a short, very easy and pleasant to read book about the battle of Andrinople in 378 between the goths and the romans. It's the french translation of "Il giornio dei barbari", written by italien historian Alessandro Barbero. Only 250 pages in French, explaining the events that lead to that battle, then the battle itself and its consequences ; the author claims this is the battle that broke the roman empire, one century before 476.
The plight of the goths, fleeing the huns and being mercilessly ransomed by corrupt local authorities, so much they end up revolting, the following two years of campaigning in Thrace, followed by the battle itself, are a very stimulating read. It does smack strongly of the lunar empire trying to integrate barbarians.
A must read, if you find it in a language you read !
Hervé
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