PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

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Enemies of Rome – Alaric
Several Roman emperors allowed some tribes of barbarians (people so described by Rome because
they lived outside the frontiers of the Roman Empire) inside their boundaries and bribed them to
keep out other enemies of Rome. Though in later years Alaric’s services were not used, he still
demanded payment, but this was refused by the Senate.
Stilicho, the great military leader who was part-Vandal by birth, was master of the Roman legions in the Western
Empire. He had suggested Alaric should be used to suppress troublesome tribes in Gaul, but Honorius accused
Stilicho of treason and executed him.
Barbarian invasions by the Vandals or Suebi saw the confiscation of land or property, but the Visigoths sought
acceptance by the Romans and the opportunity to settle on land of their own. Alaric attacked Rome in 408 AD
and 409 AD, but accepted huge ransoms to end both sieges.
When Alaric sacked Rome in 410 AD, the Romans abandoned Britain in the same year. Their legions were
needed to defend Rome and its shrinking Empire from constant barbarian attacks.
Alaric was buried, with weapons and armour, in the bed of a stream which was temporarily diverted. The stream
was then allowed to flow along its old course again and the grave site was buried. Roman prisoners who had dug
the grave were killed to keep its location a secret.
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