The gradual Christianisation of parts of the Gothic population came to a turning-point in the 370s. A civil strife between the Christian "reiks" Fritigern and the pagan "reiks" Athanaric prompted Roman military intervention on the side of the Christian party, leading to the Gothic War (376–382). In 376, the Romans allowed a number of ostensibly Christian Goths, including bishops and priests, to cross the Danube, and were granted asylum by the Romans.