As a historian, I would emphasize the distinct differences in religious beliefs between the Romans and Germanic people. The Romans believed that Germanic people were barbarians. The Romans did not believe in the Germanic tribes primitive religion. Whether the religion was Roman-Catholic, Pagan, or Aryan, it played an important part in each of the Germanic tribes" identity. Religion was also the root of the formation of alliances between tribes and other groups, and also a basis for invasions. The confrontations between the Germanic people with the Romans and the clash of religion, contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of German culture through out Europe.
It is difficult to gain accurate information about these tribes and their activities due to the fact that they had no written language, and therefore no first-hand accounts of peoples and events. Historians must place sole reliance upon second-hand accounts of these tribes by Romans, who tell the stories through their own perspective, which may have been driven by self-interest. A German Bishop, Ulfilas, later developed the first written German literature, with his famous translation of the bible. Until then, all accounts of war were written by Romans, who held a biased view of want occurred during battle. .
The first believed arrival of Germanic tribes in Europe was that of the Huns in 375 A.D. However, there are accounts of migratory movements way before this time. The Romans were being threatened by the "barbaric" German people in the north. With this said, the Romans set forth to conquer these barbarians and subject them to Roman rule. The Romans forced the barbarians to become imperial soldiers and allies. This acceptance of barbarians into the civilized Roman Empire weaken the structure of their Empire.
Later, the Visigoths settled on the land of the Roman Empire and were the first successful invaders of the Empire.
