ALARIC TAKES ROME, 24TH AUGUST 410—SACK OF THE CITY—TRIUMPH OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION—FORBEARANCE OF THE GOTHS—ALARIC WITHDRAWS IN THREE DAYS

Capture of Rome by Alaric, Aug. 24, 410

The Goths, as they had previously done, laid siege to the city at every gate, Alaric directing his attention to the Porta Salaria adjoining Monte Pincio, before which, apparently because of the greater weakness of the walls, he took up his headquarters. These he fixed at Antemnae on the hill above the Salarian bridge. The ancient place must, even at this time, have been in ruins, and, apparently, during the siege of the Goths it fell into yet deeper decay. We have no exact information either of the preparation for defence on the part of the Romans, or of the duration of the siege. It would appear, however, that Alaric, instead of ordering an assault, calmly awaited the effects of famine and of his secret understanding with the Arians and Pagans within the city, and the great number of slaves who had deserted to his camp must have considerably aided the fulfilment of his ends. Rome undoubtedly fell through treachery, but in the course of a century, so completely had the circumstances of Alaric's conquest faded from memory that the Greek historian Procopius relates the most improbable legend concerning it. He asserts that Alaric, feigning the intention of raising the siege, sent three hundred boys as pages to the Senate, with the request that the Fathers would keep these Gothic youths as a lasting remembrance of his respect for the august body and its fidelity to the Emperor.