In Roman terms, a “barbarian” was anyone who lived outside the boundaries of the Roman Empire, often viewed as uncivilized and warlike. The term carried a negative connotation, implying that these people were inferior to Romans in culture and behavior.
However, many so-called barbarians had complex societies and were formidable foes, eventually playing a significant role in the decline of the Western Roman Empire.
The Visigoths, considered barbarians by the Romans, famously sacked Rome in 410 AD under their leader Alaric, marking a significant moment in the Empire’s decline.
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