Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Alaric

ALARIC (al′ar-ik), a celebrated conqueror, King of the Visigoths. He was a commander of the Goths in the service of Rome, and in 395 revolted and invaded Greece, capturing Athens. He was opposed by Stilicho, and retreated to Epirus; was then made prefect of Illyricum by the Emperor Arcadius, and was elected king by his own people. In 400 he invaded the Western Empire, reaching Milan in 403. He besieged the Emperor Honorius in Asto, who was relieved by Stilicho, and a drawn battle was fought at Pollentia; soon afterward he suffered a serious defeat at Verona. He was again appointed prefect of Illyricum. On the death of Stilicho, Honorius repudiated his obligations to Alaric, who immediately marched upon Rome and laid siege to it (408); but was induced to leave by the promise of 5,000 pounds of gold and 30,000 pounds of silver. Enraged by further breach of covenant, he advanced on Rome a third time (410), and his troops pillaged the city for six days, Alaric, who was an Arian Christian, like his people, forbidding his soldiers to dishonor women or destroy religious buildings. When Alaric quitted Rome, it was only to prosecute the conquest of Sicily. In 410 he died at Cosenza, in Calabria.