Fritigern, King of the Visigoths

He was joint King of the Visigoths (369-380) as a rival and possibly brother of Athanaric, with whom he shared power until his death. In 375 he was defeated by the Huns, and sought refuge for the Visigoths within the Roman Empire. He and the Eastern Emperor Valens were both Arian Christians. The Visigoths crossed the Danube River into Roman territory, but when they began looting, the Valens attacked them. Valens was defeated and killed at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. This battle led to an alliance with the Roman Empire. Fritigern's people were subsequently granted lands north of the Danube as foederati of the Romans. By this victory, Fritigern gained the support of the Visigoths and might have become sole king, but he died two years later. He was succeeded by his rival Athanaric, who survived him.