Battle of Adrianople

The Battle of Adrianople marked a catastrophic defeat for the Romans, resulting in the loss of two-thirds of their eastern forces and the death of an emperor. This pivotal moment not only weakened Rome but also established the Goths as a significant presence within the empire, foreshadowing its eventual decline. The emergence of Gothic cavalry is noted as a precursor to the heavy cavalry that would shape European warfare in the centuries to come.