The Goths were a group of Germanic tribes who originated in what is now Scandinavia. As early as the third century A.D., the Goths invaded the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. During the following century, they divided into two groups: a western group known as the Visigoths, who predominated north of the lower Danube River, in central Europe; and an eastern group known as the Ostrogoths, who were situated north of the Black Sea, between Europe and Asia. Along with other tribal Germanic peoples, the Goths brought the downfall of the Roman Empire.