When Alaric was born somewhere
in Romania around 370, the community of the Visigoths, like that of many other
“barbarian” groups bordering the Roman Empire, was under threat by the
encroaching might of the Huns. Seeking shelter and protection, the Visigoths
eventually managed to gain permission to settle in the Balkan region of the
Roman Empire. Yet, settlement came at a price—the Visigoths had to serve as
mercenaries in the Roman military and help defend the frontiers. As such, it is
no surprise that Alaric joined the Roman army during the reign of Emperor
Theodosius I (r. 379-395).
When Theodosius died in 395,
the eastern and western halves of the Roman Empire were once again divided,
this time between Theodosius’ two sons. Emperor Arcadius was given control of
the east and Emperor Honorius controlled the west. Alaric, who became chief or
king of the Visigoths around the same time (either 394 or 395) thought it was
the perfect time to renegotiate his people’s agreement with the Romans.
Looking for more land, a
grant of citizenship, subsidies, or even just safe passage to Africa, King
Alaric led an army of Visigoths first against the Eastern Roman Empire. Alaric
had some successes there, but before long, was placated and appeased into
ending his campaign. Therefore, he began invading Italy in 401 and received
some monetary payments from Rome, but, for the most part, a Roman General named
Flavius Stilicho (a man of Vandal blood) was able to keep Alaric contained for
years. Alaric even agreed to work with Stilicho as an ally. Nevertheless,
Flavius Stilicho was executed by Emperor Honorius in 408.
Even worse for Rome, that very
same year, a faction led by a Roman Senator named Olympius massacred countless
numbers of “barbarians” living within the Roman Empire. As many of these victims
were the families of foreign soldiers-for-hire fighting in Rome’s military, thousands
of mercenaries defected to Alaric’s army after the massacre. Inspired by
Stilicho’s death and the growing strength of the Visigoth army, Alaric invaded
Italy and besieged the city of Rome in 408. The Roman Senate managed to
convince Alaric to withdraw after paying him and pledging to help him negotiate
his terms with Emperor Honorius. When nothing came of the negotiations, Alaric
besieged Rome again in 409, but withdrew after recognizing a sympathetic
pretender Emperor named Attalus. Alaric, however, returned to Rome in 410 after
Emperor Honorius and the pretender, Attalus, both refused to grant the
Visigoths any significant concessions. This time, Alaric broke into the city
and pillaged Rome for three days. Although they plundered Rome’s wealth and
ravaged the city’s population, the Visigoths were remarkably respectful of
Rome’s historic architectural achievements and monuments, leaving most of the
city intact. After sacking Rome, Alaric departed the city, hoping to bring his
people to North Africa, yet he died from disease near Consentia (modern Concenza)
before the year’s end.
According to legend, the
Visigoths diverted the natural course of the Busentinus River and built a
sepulcher for their fallen king in the exposed riverbed. Using slave labor, a
tomb fit for a king was dug and filled with treasure and war trophies. Once
Alaric and his spoils were sealed away, the Visigoths allegedly killed all of
the slaves who had knowledge of the tomb’s location, and returned the
Busentinus to its original course, so that the waters of the river would
conceal and protect the resting place of their king.
Written by C. Keith Hansley.
Picture attribution: (Alaric entering Athens, illustration, c. 1920s.
[Public Domain] via Creative Commons).
- Vanished Kingdoms: The Rise and Fall of States and Nations by Norman Davies. New York: Viking (Penguin Group), 2011.
- https://www.ancient.eu/Alaric/
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alaric
- http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/visigoths-sack-rome
- http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/ancient-history-late-roman-and-byzantine-biographies/alaric-i
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Visigoth
- https://www.ancient.eu/visigoth/
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodosius-I
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Flavius-Stilicho
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Honorius-Roman-emperor
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