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[[File<youtube>https: Sack_of_Rome_by_JN_Sylvestre_1890//www.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|Joseph-Nöel Sylvestre’s 1890 Painting Depicting the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths in AD 410]]Few scholars would argue that it would by hyperbole to say that the Visigoth sack of Rome in AD 410 was one of the true turning points in world historyyoutube. For Rome, it was the first time that the city had been sacked by outsiders in over 800 years, when the Gauls last did the destructive deed in 390 BC. The Romans recovered nicely from the 390 BC sacking, with the majority of their cultural, political, and military achievements coming after that date. In fact, one could argue that Rome was strong <i>becausecom/watch?v=uhQO6giXAnY</iyoutube> of the 390 BC sacking, as it was forced to reevaluate its military capabilities and how far its northern boundaries should be extended. The sacking in AD 410 was much different, though, as it came at a time when Rome had been in decline for over two centuries. In many ways, the sacking was the death knell of the once great city-state, which limped along for a few more decades before the last emperor of the west was deposed in AD 476.

It is said that [[File: Sack_of_Rome_by_JN_Sylvestre_1890.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Joseph-Nöel Sylvestre’s 1890 Painting Depicting the Sack of Rome was not built by the Visigoths in a day, which equally applies AD 410]]__NOTOC__Few scholars would argue that it would be hyperbole to its collapse and say that the sacking Visigoth sack of the city Rome in AD 410. Rome’s sacking was the end result of a ten year process of invasions and sieges led by Alaric I (ruled 395-410), king one of the Visigothstrue turning points in world history. Alaric I It was able to bring forth unmitigated destruction to the first time for Rome due to a number of factorsthat outsiders had sacked the city in over 800 years when the Gauls last did the destructive deed in 390 BC. The Visigoth king proved to be a great military tactician who possessed a resolute character and was a keen judge of character. On Romans recovered nicely from the other side390 BC sacking, the Roman Emperor Honorius (reigned 393-423) was weakwith most of their cultural, inexperiencedpolitical, and prone to take bad advice, which ultimately led to the death of the only Roman commander who could stop Alaric Imilitary achievements coming after that date.

===Alaric I and the Visigoths===[[File: Alaric_entering_Athens.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|Modern Depiction of Alaric I Leading Arguably, Rome was stronger due to the Visigoths into Athens]]Little is known about Alaric’s early life390 BC sacking, although as it is believed that he was born on the Peuce Island forced to reevaluate its military capabilities and how far its northern boundaries should be extended. The sacking in the Danube River deltaAD 410 was much different, near the Black Sea. Alaric’s people, the Visigothsthough, as it came at a time when Rome had attained <i>federate</i> status under Emperor Constantine I (ruled 306-337), which meant that they were required to fight for the Romans been in exchange decline for a yearly allotment of grainover two centuries. <ref> BuryIn many ways, J. B. <i>The Invasion the sacking was the death knell of Europe by the Barbarians. </i> (New York: W. W. Norton, 1967), p.24</ref> As a young man, Alaric marched alongside the Emperor Theodosius I (reigned 379once-great city-395), eventually acquiring a reputation for bravery, loyalty, and cleverness. Although Alaric was a German and not a Roman citizen, he desired to be a Roman generalstate, which had become a possibility when the requirements limped along for such an office changed during the Roman Empire. Still, it was difficult for a German to rise to such a high rank without a benefactor – Alaric believed his would be none other than few more decades before the West's last emperor, who was impressed with the young man’s abilities. Unfortunately for Alaric, his dreams of attainting the highest rank deposed in the Roman army were dashed when Theodosius I died. <ref> Bury, p. 64</ref> The young Visigoth warrior would have to look elsewhere for statusAD 476.

In It is said that Rome was not built in a day, which equally applies to its collapse and the sacking of the city in AD 410. Rome’s sacking resulted from a ten-year process of invasions and sieges led by Alaric I (ruled 395-410), some of Alaric’s ambitions were finally realized when he was elected king of the Visigoths at the age of thirty. Alaric I was able to bring forth unmitigated destruction to Rome due to many factors. The election made Alaric the first true Visigoth kingproved to be a great military tactician who possessed a resolute character and was a keen judge of character. On the other side, the Roman Emperor Honorius (reigned 393-423) was weak, <ref>Rousseauinexperienced, Philip. “Visigothic Migration and Settlementprone to take bad advice, 376-418: Some Excluded Hypotheses.” <i>Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte</i> 41 (1992) p. 335</ref> but it did help him gain entry into which ultimately led to the death of the only Roman elite. The title of Visigoth king must have seemed like an inferior door prize to commander who could stop Alaric I, because as soon as he was crowned he set out to punish Rome.

====Alaric I led his Visigoth army into Roman territory and for a time it seemed that there was nothing the Western or Eastern emperors could do about it, until the Roman general Stilicho came to the rescueVisigoths====[[File: Alaric_entering_Athens. Like jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Modern Depiction of Alaric, Stilicho was actually of German ancestry, but he was from the Vandal tribe and by the late fourth century his reputation as a excellent tactician and charismatic general preceded him, which eventually resulted in Theodosius I appointing him as Leading the young Honorius’ regent. Honorius later married Stilicho’s daughter Thermania, placing the Vandal firmly in the imperial family. <ref> Sennigen, William B., and Arthur E.R. Boak. <i>The History of Rome to A.D. 565. </i> Sixth Edition. (New York: Macmillan, 1977), p.451</ref> Most now believe that Stilicho was the one who truly held the reins of power in the Western Roman Empire and that he largely controlled Alaric I’s early movements in southern Europe.Visigoths into Athens]]

===The Invasions of Italy and Sieges of Rome===Not long after Alaric I was elected kingLittle is known about Alaric’s early life, although it is believed that he lead the Visigoth nation into southern Europe, embarking was born on a thirteen year orgy of plunder and devastation. The Visigoths first marched into the Balkans region Peuce Island in 397 and were met by little resistance. The emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, Arcadius (ruled 395-408)Danube River delta, was weak like his brother Honorius and totally bereft of any military force that could stop near the VisigothsBlack Sea. The only hope that Arcadius had was to appeal to his brother to send Stilicho and his armyAlaric’s people, but the general decided to sit back for awhile to see how the situation transpired. Alaric I led his Visigoths to ravage Illyrium, Macedonia, and Thrace before he finally arrived with his army in southern Greece. had attained <refi> Bury, pgs. 66-67federate</refi> The Visigoths returned status under Emperor Constantine I (ruled 306-337), which meant that they were required to their temporary base fight for the Romans in Epirus after losing exchange for a battle to Stilicho’s forces, but the army was largely still intactyearly allotment of grain. <ref>BurrellBury, EmmaJ. “A Re-Examination of Why Stilicho Abandoned His Pursuit of Alaric in 397B.” <i>Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte GeschichteThe Invasion of Europe by the Barbarians. </i> 53 (2004) pNew York: W. 252</ref> Many modern scholars believe that Alaric’s entire campaign was manipulated by Stilicho – the general purposely allowed the Visigoths to plunder the region so that he could be the savior and gain control at the expense of the EastW. <ref>BuryNorton, 1967), p. 7924</ref> But Alaric I was not content with mere plunder, he desired to have a territory for his people within Roman territory so he decided to bring his request straight to the emperor.

Since no one in either half of the As a young man, Alaric marched alongside Emperor Theodosius I (reigned 379-395), eventually acquiring a reputation for bravery, loyalty, and cleverness. Although Alaric was a German and not a Roman Empire appeared citizen, he desired to be listening to Alarica Roman general, which had become a possibility when such an office's requirements changed during the Visigoth king decided Roman Empire. Still, it was difficult for a German to take his grievances straight rise to such a high rank without a benefactor – Alaric believed he would be none other than the emperor by invading Italy in 401. Alaric and his army ravaged towns in northern Italy until Stilicho arrived once more to save the day, forcing who was impressed with the Visigoths to accept his terms and leave Italy in 402young man’s abilities. <ref> BuryUnfortunately for Alaric, p. 77</ref> Alaric did not plan to stay away until his dreams were realized, though, so he invaded Italy once more in 403, but was defeated again by Stilicho. After of attaining the defeat highest rank in 403, Alaric led the Visigoths back through the Balkans where they encamped in Epirus for nearly five yearsRoman army were dashed when Theodosius I died. <ref> Bury, p. 7864</ref>The young Visigoth warrior would have to look elsewhere for status.

Honorius probably thought he heard In the last of Alaric in 403year 395, but Stilicho no doubt knew better. The seeming stability that Rome enjoyed on Italy’s northern border in the first years some of the fifth century ended Alaric’s ambitions were finally realized when the Rhine River he was breached in 406 by a horde of Germanic tribes, foremost elected king of them were the VandalsVisigoths at thirty. Honorius was forced to send Stilicho and his best troops to Gaul to fight The election made Alaric the new menacefirst true Visigoth king, which left Italy’s northern frontier wide open for an ambitious warrior king such as Alaric I. <ref> BuryRousseau, Philip. “Visigothic Migration and Settlement, 376-418: Some Excluded Hypotheses.” <i>Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte</i> 41 (1992) p. 81335</ref>but it did help him gain entry into the Roman elite. The Visigoth king's title must have seemed like an inferior door prize to Alaric I, because as soon as he was crowned, he set out to punish Rome.

In 408, Alaric I led his Visigoth army out of Epirus to Noricum on Italy’s northern borderinto Roman territory. For a time, where they camped and sent an embassy it seemed that there was nothing the Western or Eastern emperors could do about it until the Roman general Stilicho came to Romethe rescue. Like Alaric I demanded 4,000 pounds Stilicho was actually of gold in return for fighting against a usurper who challenged Honorius in GaulGerman ancestry. The young emperor was not happy about the situationStill, but he was pressured to accept the demands by Stilicho, who understood the extent of from the Visigoth’s military capabilitiesVandal tribe. <ref> Bury, p. 84</ref> The payment had By the effect of temporarily mollifying Alaric’s demands for Roman landlate fourth century, but it also led to the formation of a palace conspiracy. A palace official named Olympius spread a rumor that Stilicho was plotting to usurp the Eastern throne on behalf of his son. The rumors were believed by many since Stilicho was a German reputation as an excellent tactician and it seemed to many that charismatic general preceded him, resulting in Theodosius I appointing him as the commander was doing little to stop the German Alaricyoung Honorius’ regent. As proofHonorius later married Stilicho’s daughter Thermania, placing the conspirators pointed to Vandal firmly in the large gold payment that Alaric received, which was facilitated by Stilicho. The conspiracy gained strength until Stilicho was captured and beheaded on August 22, 408imperial family. <ref> MatthewsSennigen, JWilliam B. F, and Arthur E.R. “Olympiodorus of Thebes and the Boak. <i>The History of the West (Rome to A.D. 407-425)565.” <i>Journal of Roman Studies</i> 60 Sixth Edition. (2004New York: Macmillan, 1977) , p. 83451</ref> Most now believe that Stilicho was the one who truly held the reins of power in the Western Roman Empire and that he largely controlled Alaric I’s early movements in southern Europe.

Stilicho’s assassination ====The Invasions of Italy and Sieges of Rome====Not long after Alaric I was elected king, he leads the worst imaginable thing that could have happened to HonoriusVisigoth nation into southern Europe, embarking on a thirteen-year orgy of plunder and devastation. Stilicho was his most able commander and The Visigoths first marched into the only person Balkans region in his army who appeared to have the ability to defeat Alaric397 and were met by little resistance. The Visigoth king clearly also had a high level emperor of respect for Stilicho the Eastern Roman Empire, Arcadius (ruled 395-408), was weak like his brother Honorius and totally bereft of any military force that could stop the Visigoths. Arcadius's only hope was willing to listen appeal to him. Stilicho’s assassination was followed up by an anti-German pogrom where Roman troops massacred the families of German auxiliaries. The events only hardened Alaric’s resolve his brother to send Stilicho and increased the size of his army when 30,000 German survivors joined him in Noricum. <ref> Bury, pbut the general decided to sit back for a while to see how the situation transpired. 91</ref>

Despite Alaric I led his Visigoths to ravage Illyrium, Macedonia, and Thrace before he finally arrived with his army in southern Greece. <ref> Bury, pgs. 66-67</ref> The Visigoths returned to their temporary base in Epirus after losing a battle to Stilicho’s forces, but the violent turn army was largely still intact. <ref>Burrell, Emma. “A Re-Examination of Why Stilicho Abandoned His Pursuit of events and Alaric in 397.” <i>Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte</i> 53 (2004) p. 252</ref> Many modern scholars believe that Stilicho manipulated Alaric's entire campaign – the general lack of respect purposely allowed the Romans showed Visigoths to him and his people, Alaric I continued to hope plunder the region so that he could come to some sort be the savior and gain control at the expense of permanent deal with Honorius. He promised to withdraw to Pannnonia if another sum was paid and hostages were exchanged, but the young emperor flatly refusedEast. <ref> Bury, p. 9179</ref> But Alaric I was done negotiatingnot content with mere plunder. He desired to have a territory for his people within the Roman territory, so he decided to bring his request straight to the emperor.

Since no one in either half of the Roman Empire appeared to be listening to Alaric, the Visigoth king decided to take his grievances straight to the emperor by invading Italy in 401. Alaric and his army ravaged towns in northern Italy until Stilicho arrived once more to save the day, forcing the Visigoths to accept his terms and leave Italy 402. <ref> Bury, p. 77</ref> Alaric did not plan to stay away until his dreams were realized, though, so he invaded Italy once more in 403 but was defeated again by Stilicho. After the defeat in 403, Alaric led the Visigoths back through the Balkans encamped in Epirus for nearly five years. <ref> Bury, p. 78</ref> Honorius probably thought he heard the last of Alaric in 403, but Stilicho no doubt knew better. Rome enjoyed the seeming stability on Italy’s northern border in the first years of the fifth century ended when the Rhine River was breached in 406 by a horde of Germanic tribes, foremost of them were the Vandals. Honorius was forced to send Stilicho and his best troops to Gaul to fight the new menace, which left Italy’s northern frontier wide open for an ambitious warrior king such as Alaric I. <ref> Bury, p. 81</ref> In 408, Alaric I led his Visigoth army out of Epirus to Noricum on Italy’s northern border, where they camped and sent an embassy to Rome. Alaric I demanded 4,000 pounds of gold to fight against a usurper who challenged Honorius in Gaul. The young emperor was not happy about the situation, but he was pressured to accept Stilicho's demands, who understood the extent of the Visigoth’s military capabilities. <ref> Bury, p. 84</ref> The payment had the effect of temporarily mollifying Alaric’s demands for Roman land, but it also led to the formation of a palace conspiracy. A palace official named Olympius spread a rumor that Stilicho was plotting to usurp the Eastern throne on behalf of his son. Many since Stilicho was a German, the rumors were believed, and it seemed to many that the commander was doing little to stop the German Alaric. As proof, the conspirators pointed to the large gold payment Alaric received, facilitated by Stilicho. The conspiracy gained strength until Stilicho was captured and beheaded on August 22, 408. <ref> Matthews, J. F. “Olympiodorus of Thebes and the History of the West (A.D. 407-425).” <i>Journal of Roman Studies</i> 60 (2004) p. 83</ref>  <dh-ad/> Stilicho’s assassination was the worst imaginable thing that could have happened to Honorius. Stilicho was his most able commander and the only person in his army who appeared to have the ability to defeat Alaric. The Visigoth king clearly also had a high level of respect for Stilicho and was willing to listen to him. Stilicho’s assassination was followed up by an anti-German pogrom where Roman troops massacred German auxiliaries' families. The events only hardened Alaric’s resolve and increased his army's size when 30,000 German survivors joined him in Noricum. <ref> Bury, p. 91</ref> Despite the violent turn of events and the general lack of respect, the Romans showed to him and his people, Alaric I continued to hope that he could come to some permanent deal with Honorius. He promised to withdraw to Pannonia if another sum was paid and hostages were exchanged, but the young emperor flatly refused. <ref> Bury, p. 91</ref> Alaric was done negotiating. After Alaric’s final offer was denied, he invaded Italy for a third time in the fall of 408. The Visigoths burned and pillaged numerous towns unopposed until they finally reached the walls of Rome. <ref> Bury, p. 92</ref> Alaric I then ordered that all roads in and out of Rome be blockaded as well as river access to Ostia. Unfortunately for Alaric I and the Visigoths, though, Honorius was safely ensconced in the Ravenna's imperial residence in Ravenna, which meant that the king had to deal with the Senate. Alaric I soon found the Senate to be just as weak and feckless as the emperor and unable to grant him any of the major concessions he desired. When he realized that the Senators did not have the power to give his people land, Alaric I played on their desperate situation and demanded nearly all of the alienable property in the city from its starving citizens. The sixth -century Byzantine historian, Zosimus, summarized the negotiations:

====The Sack of Rome====[[File: Honorius.jpg|300px250px|thumbnail|left|Gold Coin of the Emperor Honorius]] Although Alaric’s siege of Rome was financially successful, he was could still unable to secure land within the Roman Empire for his people. He was not finished with Rome , and by 409 , his war had taken on a more personal note that was directed at Honorius. Alaric sieged Rome again in 409, forcing the Senate to accept his puppet, Priscus Attalus, as emperor. The move had the desired effect of pressuring Honorius to come to the negotiating table, but Alaric was attacked on the way to the negotiations. <ref> Bury, p. 96</ref> Alaric deposed of Attalus, who was no longer of any use to him, and took his force to Rome once more, but this time the Visigoths would lay waste to the city. After camping outside of the city, the Visigoths gained entry on August 24, 410 , through guile. According to the sixth -century Byzantine historian Procopius, the Visigoths gained entry through a Germanic Trojan Horse.

“He chose out three hundred whom he knew to be of good birth and possessed of valour valor beyond their years, and told them secretly that he was about to make a present of them to certain of the patricians in Rome, pretending that they were slaves. And he instructed them that, as soon as they got inside the houses of those men, they should display much gentleness and moderation and serve them eagerly in whatever tasks should be laid upon them by their owners; and he . He further directed them that not long afterwardsafterward, on an appointed day at about midday, when all those who were to be their masters would most likely be already asleep after their meal, they should all come to the gate called Salarian and with a sudden rush kill the guards, who would have no previous knowledge of the plot, and open the gates as quickly as possible. . . But when the appointed day had come, Alaric armed his whole force for the attack and was holding held them in readiness close by the Salarian Gate; , for it happened that he had encamped there at the beginning of the siege. And all the youths at the time of the day agreed upon came to this gate, and, assailing the guards suddenly, put them to death; then they opened the gates and received Alaric and the army into the city at their leisure.” <ref> Procopius of Caesarea. <i>History of the Wars.</i> Translated by H.B. Dewing. (London: William Heinemann, 1916), Book III, ii, 14-24</ref>

The Visigoths raped, robbed, and pillaged Rome and the Romans for two days but left all of the Christian churches intact. As a parting shot, Alaric I took the emperor’s sister as a hostage and left the vicinity. <ref> Bury, pgs. 96-97</ref> Although Alaric I died shortly after the sack of Rome and his dream of a Visigoth homeland within the Roman territory was never realized, his

====Conclusion====Alaric I, king of the Visigoths, is a well-known historical personality because of his sack of Rome in AD 410. The event changed the course of history as it hastened the decline of the Roman Empire's decline, but numerous factors contributed to make making it a reality. The general weakness of the Roman Empire at the time and more specifically the weakness of Emperor Honorius were among the most important factors – in earlier periods, when Rome was strong, foreign armies could rarely get close to Rome, never mind sack the city. The death of the Roman general Stilicho should also not be overlooked. Stilicho was an able general and tactician who routinely defeated Alaric and the Visigoths on the battlefield. The general was also a diplomat and moderator who more than once brought the Visigoths and Romans to the negotiating table. After Stilicho died, there was no longer a voice of reason in the conflict. Finally, the abilities of Alaric I and his army played the a pivotal role. Alaric knew when to use brute force and when to use guile , and cunning, which allowed him to win numerous battles and to ultimately sack the ancient world's greatest city of the ancient world.

====References=== =<references/>

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