Sacking of Rome: Community Service





What follows is the sequence of events from the death of Theodosius leading to the sacking of Rome by Alaric. This was extracted from Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Thought this list might come handy to someone who is doing research and in a hurry.

Theodosius dies in January. Honorius crowned as the Western Emperor

Goth revolt in autumn. Low subsidies & Rufinus incitation. Alaric demands title and command.

Pillage of Greece. Oversight of Corinth and the Thermopylae

Stilicho navigates to Greece. The Goths besieged. They escape

Constantinople asks for the exit of Stilicho

Constantinople honors Alaric, gives him authority

Alaric arms himself in Greece. May have been reinforced at the Danube

Alaric enters Italy. Stilicho defeats him. Alan and English garrison as Imperial reinforcements.

Stilicho pacts peace (403?).

The Huns enter Germany

Radagaisus enters Italy. 200K versus 30K/40K

Stilicho encircles and defeats Radagaisus at Florence

Radagasius' allies overcome the Franks at Gaul

Revolt at England. Constantine rival Emperor

Constantine takes parts of Gaul, Spain

Attack from Italy to Gaul

Alaric demands presents from Ravenna for alliance

Stilicho intercedes in favor of Alaric before the Senate. This approves

Commoners, soldiers, Honorius (thanks to Olympus) suspect Stilicho

Officials executed by Olympus. Stilicho executed

Family members of the executed auxiliary units join the Goths. 30K

Alaric enters Italy a second time. Embassy from the Senate. Ransom paid

Slave (40K) and Hun (10K), reinforcements

Renewed demands for gifts (land, title and subsidies) are rejected by Olympus

Alaric's threats make the Senate crown Atalus

Veterans reinforce Ravenna. Failed African expedition. Attalus disgraced

Negotiations between Alaric and the Emperor break down when the former is attacked by auxiliaries

The city of Rome falls when its doors are opened. 410