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Few scholars would argue that it would be hyperbole to say that the Visigoth sack of Rome in AD 410 was one of the true turning points in world history. It was the first time for Rome that outsiders had sacked the city in over 800 years when the Gauls last did the destructive deed in 390 BC. The Romans recovered nicely from the 390 BC sacking, with most of their cultural, political, and military achievements coming after that date.

====Alaric I and the Visigoths====

Little is known about Alaric’s early life, although it is believed that he was born on the Peuce Island in the Danube River delta, near the Black Sea. Alaric’s people, the Visigoths, had attained <i>federate</i> status under Emperor Constantine I (ruled 306-337), which meant that they were required to fight for the Romans in exchange for a yearly allotment of grain. <ref> Bury, J. B. <i>The Invasion of Europe by the Barbarians. </i> (New York: W. W. Norton, 1967), p.24</ref>

====The Sack of Rome====

Although Alaric’s siege of Rome was financially successful, he could still secure land within the Roman Empire for his people. He was not finished with Rome, and by 409, his war had taken on a more personal note directed at Honorius. Alaric sieged Rome again in 409, forcing the Senate to accept his puppet, Priscus Attalus, as emperor. The move had the desired effect of pressuring Honorius to come to the negotiating table, but Alaric was attacked on the way to the negotiations. <ref> Bury, p. 96</ref> Alaric deposed Attalus, who was no longer of any use to him and took his force to Rome once more, but this time the Visigoths would lay waste to the city. After camping outside of the city, the Visigoths gained entry on August 24, 410, through guile. According to the sixth-century Byzantine historian Procopius, the Visigoths gained entry through a Germanic Trojan Horse.

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