Sack, Pillage and Plunder: The story of Rome's fall to Visigoths

Driven westward by the relentless advance of the Huns, the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe, sought refuge within the Roman Empire. However, instead of receiving protection, they faced betrayal and hostility. This tension escalated into a series of conflicts, culminating in the Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD. In this decisive clash, the Visigoths inflicted a crushing defeat on the Roman army. Although a treaty was later established granting them land and partial autonomy, mutual distrust persisted.

              [An image of Alaric, the Visigoth]

By 395 AD, Alaric, a former Roman military commander, had risen as the leader of the Visigoths. He had fought alongside Roman forces, even helping to defeat the Franks and other adversaries of a Roman usurper. Despite heavy losses among his men, his contributions went largely unrecognized. Frustrated by Rome’s disregard and determined to secure a homeland for his people, Alaric repeatedly sought negotiations and even resorted to force. However, after numerous failed attempts, he turned his attention to the heart of the empire—Rome itself.

By the early 5th century, the Roman Empire was in a steady state of decline. Rival rulers had begun claiming former Roman territories, and the empire’s influence was weakening. Rome, once the center of power, was no longer the capital, having been replaced first by Mediolanum (modern-day Milan) and later by Ravenna. The latter city, fortified and positioned near the sea, provided the emperor with a secure retreat in case of invasion.

During this period, Alaric engaged in negotiations with Emperor Honorius, who remained safely within Ravenna’s walls. However, the emperor betrayed Alaric, ambushing him at a prearranged meeting. Though Alaric survived the attack, he abandoned diplomacy altogether and, in anger, marched his forces toward Rome.

Inside the city, conditions were dire. Repeated sieges by the Visigoths had already led to severe food shortages. In previous instances, Rome had been spared only when its leaders met Alaric’s demands. This time, however, Alaric had no intention of retreating. Under cover of darkness, his agents infiltrated the city and unbarred the Porta Salaria gate, allowing the Visigothic army to surge inside at dawn.

The sack of Rome, while devastating, was not as merciless as it could have been. Unlike many invading forces, the Visigoths prioritized looting over destruction. Unlike typical conquests, where mass executions were common, widespread slaughter was largely avoided. Alaric, a Christian king, ordered that churches be spared, offering refuge to those seeking safety within their walls.

Nonetheless, the invasion was brutal. The Visigoths plundered the city, seized valuables, enslaved thousands, and inflicted violence on the population. Over the course of three days, Rome was stripped of its wealth, leaving its people desperate and scattered. Many who managed to escape sought shelter in Roman territories across North Africa. Once the city had been thoroughly looted, Alaric led his army south, raiding every settlement in their path.

However, Alaric’s triumph was short-lived. Just months later, he fell ill and died, leaving his army to choose a new leader before retreating north. Yet the damage was irreversible. The sack of Rome marked a significant turning point in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. The economy crumbled, political stability eroded, and famine and disease spread rapidly. The empire, once mighty and unshakable, had entered its final chapter.