The Battle of Adrianople was a pivotal encounter between the Eastern Roman Empire, led by Emperor Valens, and the Visigoths, who were seeking asylum within Roman borders from the Huns. The conflict took place near the city of Adrianople, situated in modern-day Turkey, where a large Roman force faced a similarly sized group of Goths. The situation escalated when the Visigoths, feeling threatened and mistreated, revolted against Roman control. Valens, eager to assert his strength and quell the uprising, marched to engage the Gothic forces. His strategy, however, was hampered by poor intelligence and a general underestimation of the Visigoths' combat capability.

On the day of the battle, Valens' forces were spread out and lacked adequate coordination. Utilizing their knowledge of the terrain and superior cavalry tactics, the Visigoths launched a devastating assault on the Roman legions. The battle commenced with fierce combat, and the Roman soldiers struggled to maintain their formations amid the chaos. Valens, realizing the dire situation, is said to have rallied his troops but was ultimately overwhelmed by the Goths. In the end, Valens was killed in the battle, a significant loss for the Romans, and over half of his army perished.