- Raids and Plundering: The Visigoths initially focused on raiding and plundering Roman territories rather than complete conquests. They targeted rich cities and provinces and accumulated vast amounts of wealth.
- Exploiting Roman Political Instability: The Visigoths took advantage of the political instability within the Roman Empire. They often supported rival claimants to the throne, using this as a pretext to gain concessions or access to Roman territories.
- Alliances with Other Barbarian Tribes: The Visigoths formed alliances with other barbarian tribes to enhance their military strength. They cooperated with groups such as the Vandals, Alans, and Suebi.
- Guerrilla Warfare: The Visigoths employed guerrilla tactics against Roman forces. Their mobile cavalry units used hit-and-run tactics, avoiding direct confrontation with larger Roman armies.
- Siege Warfare: The Visigoths also used siege warfare to capture fortified cities. They employed battering rams, siege towers, and other devices to breach Roman defenses.
The Ostrogoths
- Diplomacy and Alliances: The Ostrogoths relied more on diplomacy and alliances than the Visigoths. They often negotiated treaties with Roman emperors and played a role as foederati, auxiliaries to the Roman military.
- Infiltration and Settlement: The Ostrogoths gradually infiltrated and settled within Roman territories. They took advantage of the decline in Roman military strength and established their settlements in various parts of the empire.
- Integration and Assimilation: Unlike the Visigoths, the Ostrogoths showed greater willingness to integrate with the Roman population. They adopted many aspects of Roman culture, language, and administration, allowing them to establish a more stable and long-lasting presence in Italy.