Gepidæ

Gepidæ, a people of Germanic origin, whom we first read of as settled about the mouth of the Vistula in the 3d century. Before the 5th century they had migrated to the Lower Danube, where they were subjugated by the Huns; but, revolting against Attila's son, they recovered their freedom and established themselves in Dacia. There their power grew so great that they levied tribute from the Byzantine emperors down to Justinian's days. In the end of the 5th century a powerful enemy arose to them in the Ostrogoths; and after them came the Longobards, who, in alliance with the Avars, inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Gepidæ in 566. A part of the last-named then submitted to the Avars, whilst a part accompanied the Longobards to Italy. Henceforward we hear of them no more.