The historical record for the fourth and fifth century Balkans documents multiple episodes of raiding, attack, and occupation by various groups.

The Goths — who had crossed into Roman territory following the crisis of A.D.

376 and the Battle of Adrianople — remained a significant military presence in the Balkan provinces throughout the late fourth and early fifth centuries.

Gothic forces sacked Adrianople (modern Edirne in Turkey), raided through Thrace, and in A.D.

410 famously sacked Rome itself under the Visigothic king Alaric.

The Huns, operating from their base in the Pannonian plain (modern Hungary), began raiding the Balkan provinces in the early fifth century.