[Footnote 106: Vol. ii. p. 17. The other writers here referred to are Pic, Roesler, Paget, Petermann, &c.] [Footnote 107: Ibid.] [Footnote 108: Vol. i. p. 330.] CHAPTER X. FROM THE EVACUATION OF DACIA BY AURELIAN (ABOUT 274 A.D.) TO THE END OF THE BARBARIAN RULE (ABOUT THE CLOSE OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY). The 'Barbarians'--Brief mention of them by Roumanian historians--The Goths--Their settlement in Dacia--Defeat by Theodosius and disappearance--The Huns--Their ferocity--Attila--His successes--Deserted and overthrown by the Gepidæ--His death, and expulsion of the Huns--The Sarmatians--The Gepidæ ally themselves with the Byzantines--Defeated by the Lombards under Alboin--The Avari--Settle in Dacia--Are defeated and dispersed by Priscus and Heraclius--The Bulgari--Their origin and that of the Slavonians--Their cruelty--Warlike habits--Severe punishment of criminals--Superstitions--Their 'Chagan,' or chief rider--Conversion to Christianity--Their chieftains--Improved habits--Curious superstitions--Career of the Bulgari--Invasion of the Eastern Empire and defeat by Belisarius--Supreme in Dacia, Mœsia, and Servia--Vicissitudes--Story of Krumus--Daco-Roman princes--The Bulgarian territories annexed by Basilius to the Greek Empire--The Ungri, or Hungarians--Their supposed origin--Their cruelty and ferocity--Hallam's description of them--German account of their savage mode of warfare--Ravage Europe--Settle in Hungary and found a kingdom--Are driven over the Carpathians by the Bulgari--(Note: Story of their contests with the chiefs Gellius, Gladius, Mariotus, &c,--The anonymous notary of King Bela)--The Patzinakitai--Scanty records concerning them--The Wallachs--Controversy regarding their origin--Daco-Roman descendants--Mediæval accounts of their origin and character--Anna Comnena--Bonfinius--Æneas Sylvius--M. Opitz--Their career in the Danubian territories--Revolt in alliance with the Bulgari--Foundation of the Wallacho-Bulgarian Empire by Peter, Asan, and John--The historical _soufflet_--Recognition of the new empire--Its duration--The Kumani--Their domination--The Teutonic Knights and Knights of St. John--Interesting correspondence between King Joannitz and Pope Innocent III.--Temporary conversion of the Bulgarians to Rome--Downfall of the Wallacho-Bulgarian Empire--Irruptions and retirement of the Tartars--End of the barbarian age. I.