Alaric Ier

Biography

Born towards 370 with Perice in the Delta from the the Danube, it belongs to a noble wisigothic family, member of the Clan balthe. In 394, under the reign of the Roman Emperor Théodose, it becomes Chef fœderati (of the Latin word Fœdus ), irregular troops Barbares under Roman command. It takes part in the countryside against the usurper Eugene. In 395 Théodose dies, leaving a weakened empire, shared between its two sons, weak the Arcadius in the east (Byzantine Empire) and Honorius in the west (Western Empire).

Alaric hopes to receive a great command at the time of the regime change, but it is refused to him. On their side, the fœderati are furious to be seen despoiled of their share of spoils. They acclaim Alaric king, and this one invades and plunders the Thrace, the Macedonia and the Peloponnese in 395/96, putting at bag the prestigious Greek cities and selling their inhabitants as Esclave S. With the borders of the Élide and of the Arcadie, it is stopped by the quasi-regent of the empire of Occident, energetic the Stilicon. In the hope to undoubtedly neutralize it, Arcadius appoints it prefect of the Illyrie, important Roman province.

In 400, combined with the chief ostrogoth Radagaise, it goes on the Italy, devastating all the northern part before being stopped again by Stilicon. Curiously, this last does not exterminate the troops of Alaric, perhaps while hoping to draw some from the Mercenaire S. After another defeat with Vérone, Alaric leaves Italy in 403 to return in Illyrie. Because of sound invasion, the capital of the Western Empire passes from Milan to Ravenne (Rome, forsaken by the Emperors since many years, was not any more the capital of the Empire since good a long time.).

In 408, Arcadius dies. Alaric benefits to require to be paid to cease the Guerre and claims the sum of 2 from it; 000 kg of Or, that Stilicon makes promise with the Roman Sénat to pay. A few months later, Honorius, jealous of the capacity of its ambitious General and influenced by its favorites, makes kill Stilicon and its close relations. In the confusion which follows, the Roman troops massacre the families of the fœderati , which then join in great number the troops of Alaric. In September 408, Alaric crosses the the Alps again and besieges Rome. The famished inhabitants end up agreeing to pay more 1 000 kg of gold, the Silk, the Leather and the Pepper.

Alaric also claims a vast territory between the the Danube and the Venezia, as well as the title of commander-in-chief of the imperial army. Irresolute and protected in Ravenne, Honorius refuses. In 409, Alaric again puts the seat in front of the “Eternal City”. The Roman Senate agrees then with him to institute a new emperor, weak the Priscus Attale, which quickly prove inefficient and lose the rich person province of Africa, attic of the Empire, held by the partisans of Honorius. Alaric must face riots frumentaires in Rome and with legions sent by the nephew of Honorius, Théodose II. It drives out Priscus Attale and tries to open negotiations with Honorius again. In front of their failure, it makes third once the head office of Rome, in 410. By seeing the high walls of the almost impregnable city, he says: … more the grass is thick, plus it is easy to mow… . It takes the city without much difficulty, one quite simply opens one of the doors to him and it is celebrates it bag of Rome of August 410, the first bag since centuries, a long time after the catch of the city by Celtes at the 4th century before Jesus Christ. Plundering lasts hardly three days. This violation of the old imperial capital, to the hands of the Barbarians, carries a terrible blow in the spirits of the two empires; advertisement, perhaps, of the end.

Little time before its death, it plunders Italy of the South and tries to invade Africa, when its ships are destroyed by a storm. Itself dies of one fever to end of the year 410. It is buried under the bed of the Busentin, which runs with Cosenza in Calabria: the river is diverted, fall to it dug, its body is buried with an important treasure (would be the Ark of the Covenant there, inter alia), then the river recovers its course. The slaves having dug to it tomb are put at death to maintain the secrecy. Its successor is his brother-in-law Athaulf.

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