Victory at Adrianople

WI the eastern Emperor Valens had displayed a tad more tactical sense, waited for his nephew Gratian to arrive with substantial reinforcements, and then move in on the cornered and starving Goths, instead of blowing it all on one massive throw of the dice? I know that the Romans will still encounter severe problems due to the Huns, Vandal-Alans, Saxons et-al, but what difference does the defeat of the Goths make to the overall strategic situation? Some points to consider.

- The idea of Roman invincibility in Europe remains intact.

- IIRC, Valens planned to ship the defeated Goths off to Syria and Armenia, and settle them down as soldier-farmers to combat the Persian threat. What influence would the placing of a large, predominantly Arian and Germanic community have on the region?

- Without the Goths, the Balkans will avoid the first wave of devastation that progressively reduced the region to anarchy and lawlessness by the time of Heraclius and only really settled down with the establishment of a strong and sophisticated Bulgarian state in the 8th century. Will the richer Balkans suffer from more direct barbarian attacks that in OTL the Eastern Empire was able to pay off?

Discuss :)
 
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