Indian Sculpture c13.78

c13.78

The death of Valens left the empire in a state of the utmost confusion. The Goths, emboldened by their success, ravaged the provinces of the East with fire and sword. Theodosius, who was appointed to the command of the army, and who was afterwards raised to the purple, succeeded in checking their progress. He concluded a peace with them, and allowed them to settle in the provinces of the empire, on condition that they should serve in the Roman armies. This policy, though it seemed to secure the peace of the empire for a time, was in reality the cause of its ruin. The Goths, who were now incorporated into the Roman armies, soon became the masters of the state. They dictated the laws, and disposed of the empire at their pleasure.