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When the Visigoths conquered Rome in 410 CE, contemporaries thought that the end of the civilized world had come. In fact, Rome was no longer the capital of the Empire and was no longer as important as it used to be, but it was still a symbol of Roman civilization.
Background of events
The Goths were one of the Germanic tribes that pressed against the borders of the Roman Empire due to the “migration of peoples” initiated by the aggression of the warlike Huns. In 376 CE, the relegated Visigoths sought refuge within the borders of the Roman Empire. According to the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus, the Goths were forced to leave their lands in Eastern Europe and look for new lands in the West. They decided that Thrace beyond the Danube is the best place to settle – the land is fertile and the river will provide a favourable position against the aggressive Huns.
The Goths were commanded by Fritigern and Alavivus. The two reached an agreement with the Roman Emperor Valens, ruling in the eastern prefecture of the Empire, and settled with the people in Moesia in exchange for the continued support of the Roman army with their troops. The Goths were given the title of foederati (“allies”), their army was to be incorporated as auxilia, and the Goths were to cultivate the land in Moesia and surrender to the fiscal system. In gratitude, Fritigern converted to Christianity. In order to secure the alliance and the loyalty of the Goths, Valens ordered them to donate a certain amount of wealth and young people and weapons.
The new arrivals, however, encouraged greedy Roman officials and tax collectors to take advantage of the situation. Life was deliberately made more difficult for the newcomers, valuables were demanded and access to food was made difficult. Roman authorities failed to deliver food for the Goths and aroused negative emotions. All valuables, and even wives and daughters, were forced to be handed over to private persons. The Goths, after months of constant humiliation, gave up obedience and decided to take matters into their own hands. The Roman-Gothic War (CE 376-378) ended with the great defeat at Adrianopleof Valens’ troops. It is believed that this was the greatest defeat of the Romans since the battle of Edessa in 260 CE, when Emperor Valerian was taken into Persian captivity. The Goths, after accepting them within the borders of the Empire, became an independent entity that over the next years actively participated in the destabilization of the Roman state.
Fritigern died in 382 CE without appointing a successor. It was not until around the 90s of the 4th century that Alaric was appointed the new king of the Visigoths, who began plundering expeditions into the eastern part of the Empire, leaving the lands given to the Goths for maintenance by the Romans. How complicated those times were is evidenced by the fact that in 394 CE Theodosius I, ruler in Constantinople, he made an alliance with the Goths and, with their support, undertook an expedition against the usurper in the west – Eugene. In the battle of Frigidus, the combined Roman-Gothic army defeated the enemy and Theodosius became an independent emperor ruling over the western and eastern territories of the Empire. In return for his services, Alaric was awarded the title of comes, which, however, the barbarian leader considered to be too low a position.
On January 17, 395 CE – after only one year of ties between the eastern and western parts – the able and combative Emperor Theodosius I died, who divided the Empire between his underage sons: the east was taken over by Arcadius and the west Honorius. The change in the situation in the Roman state encouraged Alaric to undertake further plundering expeditions. He decided that the previous agreement with the Romans had expired and he proceeded to invade Thrace, even reaching the walls of Constantinople. After negotiations, Alaric withdrew and went to Macedonia, plundering its lands and cities.
At that time, the only guarantor of the safety of the Empire was the outstanding Roman commander Stilicho, who was to be the guardian of young Honorius. However, the latter, taking advantage of the divisions in the Eastern Empire, also claimed the right to control the actions of Arcadius. Stilicho, relying largely on the allied barbarian troops, fought Alaric in the Balkan Peninsula. Despite many possibilities, Stilicho did not defeat the Goths, which is now explained in many ways, incl. as an attempt to control and weaken the Eastern Empire, or as a secret covenant with Alaric. Ultimately, Stilicho’s stance met with great criticism from the administration in Constantinople, and he himself was considered a public enemy.
At that time, Stilicho was forced to leave the Balkans and go to the areas under Honorius to deal with local matters. Then Alaric led his troops to Epirus, where he also conducted numerous plundering operations. Arkadius was forced to conclude an agreement with Alaric, who was awarded the title of magister militum per Illyricum in 398 CE. Thus, the Gothic commander received one of the most important military titles and the right to use goods in the Illyric province.
In the early fifth century CE, Alaric’s position in the east worsened, forcing him to seek new lands for his people. Taking advantage of Stilicho’s involvement in the fight against the Vandals and the Alans in Recia and Noricum, Alaric invaded Italy in 401 CE, occupying numerous towns and besieging Milan. Stilicho’s response was immediate – he returned to Italy and, at the head of his subordinate Vandals and Alans, for