Final answer:
The influx of the Huns led to migrations of Germanic peoples into Roman territory, ultimately breaking the western Roman Empire. The Huns, led by Atilla, plundered much of Europe, but their empire collapsed after Atilla's death. The migrations disrupted regional markets, resulting in famine and riots in Rome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many of the migrations of Germanic peoples during the period were a result of the influx of the Huns. The Huns, a nomadic group from the Eurasian Steppe, moved westward and conquered the frontiers of the Roman Empire, pushing groups already there to move into the continent's interior. This pressure ultimately led to the migration of Germanic groups and others into Roman territory.
The Huns were led by their ruler Atilla, who gained a reputation among the Romans for being ruthless as he plundered much of Europe. Atilla's empire extended as far as Gaul, but it collapsed after his death in 454.
The consequences of the barbarian migrations were significant. They ultimately broke the western Roman Empire into pieces and ended Roman power over it. The migrations also disrupted regional markets, leading to famine and riots in Rome. Additionally, there were societal disadvantages, as the lower classes bore the burden of the negative consequences of continuous conflict.