The Goths and the Roman World

Gothic big men received Roman monetary subsidies in return for maintaining some measure of order beyond the frontier. When they raided south of the Danube into Roman territory, it was generally because they were looking for a better deal. Some Goths joined the army individually, signing up for 25 years stints and then settling in Roman territory when their service was done. Others joined as whole units, hired out by these big men as ready-made groups of mercenaries who might serve for a year, five years, or a decade before returning home.