In the second half of the 4th century, invasions of the Roman Empire by the German tribe of Goths began, putting “eternal Rome” on the brink of destruction. However, over time, the Goths, who converted to Christianity, managed not only to integrate into the fading ancient Greco-Roman world, but also to become one of the decisive factors in its survival. Gradually they turned into guardians of ancient civilization and prepared the Ekumen for the transition from a slave system to a feudal one. A new book by historian Wolfgang Akunov tells about the amazing fate of the Goths and the Gothic heritage.