14. The Battle of Adrianople (378 CE)
On August 9, 378 CE, near present-day Edirne, Turkey, the Eastern Roman Emperor Valens led his army against the Visigoths, who had been allowed to settle within the empire’s borders. The Romans, underestimating the Gothic forces and failing to wait for reinforcements, launched an attack without proper reconnaissance. The Gothic cavalry, led by Fritigern, decisively defeated the Roman legions, resulting in the death of Emperor Valens and the loss of approximately two-thirds of his army. This catastrophic defeat exposed Rome’s vulnerability and marked a significant turning point in the empire’s history (britannica.com).
