Migration Period

This episode explores the Migration Period-also known as the Barbarian Invasions-which swept across Europe between roughly 300 and 600 CE. It traces the major population movements of the era, beginning with the Germanic tribes such as the Goths and Vandals, followed by later waves of Slavic and Turkic peoples. The discussion highlights how small warrior groups carved out territories, leading to the rise of new post-Roman kingdoms and lasting demographic shifts. Scholars in the episode debate whether these migrations triggered the fall of the Western Roman Empire or were instead a symptom of its decline, while also examining how 'barbarian' identities were shaped and redefined during this turbulent age.