It was not the pursuit of glory or an age-old grievance with the Roman Empire that herded the Visigoths south to the northern border of Moesia for the first time in decades, but their fear of the Huns. The Visigoths were such skilled and aggressive warriors that their names became synonymous with the uncommon brutality of the European barbarian, and yet, this imposing horde arrived on the banks of the Danube as refugees. With a child on the throne of the West and diplomatic efforts with the Persian Empire reaching an impasse, the undeniably unimpressive Emperor Valens could be counted on to provide more questions than answers.