Alaric
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Alaric (Alaricus, Athalaric): (b. cAD 370; d. AD 410.). Visigoth king. He was born into the illustrious Balthi family of the Gothic Trevingi. He was only a child at the time of the great Gothic victory over the Romans at Hadrianople. It is uncertain at what stage in his life that he became an Arian Christian. First rising to notoriety as the commander of Gothic auxiliaries in the army of Theodosius I, he distinguished himself at the battle of the Frigidus in 394. In 398, he was elected king by the Visigoths. In AD 402-3, he invaded Italy and was defeated by the Romans under Stilicho at Pollentia. In 408, he launched a second invasion which proved far more successful. His most famous exploit was the capture of Rome on Aug. 24, AD 410. Proceeding south from there, with a great treasure, he marched through Campania and Bruttium, sacking more rich towns. Having intended to cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily and Africa, he was thwarted due to a lack of transport ships. What ships that were available were wreaked by a storm at Rhegium. Turning northward again, he suddenly became ill and died near Consentia (mod. Cosenza) in Bruttium, probably a victim of malaria. The Visigoths had the course of the river Busento diverted and Alaric’s body buried in the now-dry river-bed together with a vast treasure of plunder taken from Rome. The river was then returned to its normal course to cover the tomb and the slaves who performed the burial were quickly executed so that no one would know the location of the burial. To this day, his burial site, together with is treasure, has never been discovered. After Alaric’s death, the kingship of the Visigoths was inherited by his brother-in-law Ataulphus (Athaulphus, Adaulphus) who quickly led them north out of Italy into southern Gaul.