The nomadic Huns (Hunni) appeared from beyond the Volga. No agreement has been reached on the location of their homeland.
The earliest source is Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 395 CE). He describes primitive pastoralists herding cattle and horses but not practising agriculture. Food supplements came from hunting and gathering. Animal skins and linen (traded from foreign peoples) were used for clothing. They are reported to have spent a great deal of time on horseback. Ammianus states that they had no kings and no overall leaders. They are reported to have followed "primates" about who's powers we are totally ignorant. Jordanes contradicts this be telling us that the Hunnish attack on the Ostrogoths was lead by Balamber. Tombs found in the Dnieper region have been assigned to the Huns. The richness of these tombs does not sit well with Ammianus's description of their poverty. The first invasions cover the five years from 372 to 377
372 the Alani attacked by the Huns on the Don
374-374 Greuthungi (Ostrogoths) overthrown. Desertion of the Rosomoni and defeat of Hermanric (Ermanaric) who committed suicide. His successor, Vithimiris, killed in battle. Hunimund succeeded under the Hunnish king Balambar.
375-376 Anthanric defeated on the Dniester. Migration across the Danube led by Alavius and Fritigern. Goths robbed and abused by Lupicinus and Maximus despite a treaty with Valens. Alatheus and Saphrax with the juvenile successor to the Ostrogothic crown cross the Danube without a treaty.