Athanaric

Athanaric (died 381) is king of several branches of the Thervingian Goths for at least two decades in the fourth century.

Athanaric makes his first appearance in recorded history in 369, when he engages in battle with the Eastern Roman Emperor Valens and ultimately negotiates a favorable peace for his people.

During his reign, many Thervings convert to Arian Christianity, which Athanaric vehemently opposes, fearing that Christianity will destroy Gothic culture.

Fritigern, his rival, is an Arian and has the favor of Valens, who shares his religious beliefs.

In the early 370s, Athanaric successively fights Fritigern in a civil war, only to later be defeated by the invading Huns.

Temporarily fleeing to Caucaland in the Carpathians, Athanaric is warmly received by Theodosius in Constantinople in 381, where he signs a treaty of friendship with the Eastern Roman Empire.

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