In about 260 AD, the fall of the Agri Decumates territory north of the Rhine transformed today's Switzerland into a frontier land of the Empire. Repeated raids by the Alamanni tribes provoked the ruin of the Roman towns and economy, forcing the population to find shelter near Roman fortresses, like the Castrum Rauracense near Augusta Raurica. The Empire built another line of defense at the north border (the so-called Donau-Iller-Rhine-Limes), but at the end of the fourth century the increased Germanic pressure forced the Romans to abandon the linear defence concept, and the Swiss plateau was finally open to the settlement of German tribes. COUNT 5
QSN1 In what year did the fall of the Agri Decumates territory transform today's Switzerland? ANS1 about 260 AD QSN2 In about 260 AD, what forced the people of Roman towns to find shelter in Roman fortresses? ANS2 raids by the Alamanni tribes QSN3 What was the name of the concept used by the Roman Empire when building another line of defense at the north border? ANS3 the linear defence concept QSN4 What increased pressure forced the Romans to abandon their line of defense concept at the end of the 4th century? ANS4 Germanic QSN5 Who was allowed to settle on the Swiss plateau by the end of the 4th century? ANS5 German tribes