Alaric I Biography and Timeline

Birth of Alaric I

Birth of Alaric I

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Alaric Emerges Among Gothic Leaders

Alaric rose to prominence among Gothic military groups serving and opposing the Roman Empire in the late fourth century.

Goths Fight At Frigidus

Gothic troops served in the army of Theodosius I during the civil war culminating at the Frigidus in 394.

Succession

Succeeds as King of the Visigoths

Role range: 0395-0410

Succession

Elected to the Visigoth throne

Role range: 0395-0410

ommander of the Gothic Auxiliaries

Appointed Commander of the Gothic Auxiliaries by Emperor Theodesius

Role range: 0395-0410

Alaric Challenges Eastern Government

After Theodosius died, Alaric led Gothic forces in negotiations and conflict with the eastern imperial government.

Gothic Forces Enter Greece

Alaric's followers marched through parts of Greece during the renewed confrontation with Roman authorities.

Athens Confronts Gothic Advance

Accounts of the Gothic incursion describe Alaric's forces reaching the region around Athens.

Governor

Appointed Governor of Greece in Llyricum by Emperor Arcadius as a bribe

Role range: 0395-0410

Rule of Greece

Appointed Governor of Greece in Llyricum by Emperor Arcadius as a bribe

Role range: 0395-0410

Invasion of Greece

Complains that Roman subsidies have not been paid & invades Greece

Role range: 0395-0410

Corinth Suffers Gothic Incursion

The Peloponnese faced military disruption during Alaric's campaign through southern Greece.

Alliance Alaric I and Constantinople and marches westward

Makes an alliance with Constantinople & marches westward

Role range: 0395-0410

Invasion of Greece

Devastates Greece

Role range: 0395-0410

Siege of Argos

Leads a Visigoth raid on Argos

Role range: 0395-0410

Siege of Corinth

Leads a Visigoth raid on Corinth

Role range: 0395-0410

Siege of Elis

Trapped in Elis but allowed to escape by Stilicho

Role range: 0395-0410

Siege of Piraeus

Leads a Visigoth raid on Piraeus

Role range: 0395-0410

Siege of Sparta

Leads a Visigoth raid on Sparta

Role range: 0395-0410

Stilicho Moves Against Alaric

The western general Stilicho led operations against Alaric as rival Roman courts disputed responsibility for the Gothic threat.

Alaric Escapes Peloponnese Trap

Alaric withdrew from the Peloponnese despite attempts by Stilicho's army to contain his followers.

Alaric Receives Illyrian Command

The eastern administration assigned Alaric a military office in Illyricum, although details of the arrangement remain disputed.

Alaric Seeks Roman Recognition

A central aim of Alaric's negotiations was secure military authority and provisions for the Gothic army.

Invasion of Italy

Invades Italy leading the Visigoths until checked by Stilicho in 402

Role range: 0395-0410

Invasion of Italy

Launches an invasion of Italy

Role range: 0395-0410

Alaric Leads Invasion Of Italy

Alaric advanced into northern Italy in 401, prompting defensive operations by Stilicho.

Siege of Milan

Leads a Visigoth siege on Milan

Role range: 0395-0410

Siege of Milan

Defeated by Stilicho & forced to leave Italy

Role range: 0395-0410

Battle of Pollentia

Alaric I is defeated by Stilicho who retreats to Tuscany & agrees to leave Italy

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Honorius Court Leaves Milan

Pressure from Gothic forces helped demonstrate Milan's vulnerability as the western imperial court moved toward Ravenna.

Alaric Confronts Stilicho At Pollentia

Roman forces under Stilicho fought Alaric's army at Pollentia on Easter in 402.

Gothic Camp Suffers Capture

Roman troops took prisoners and booty during the engagement at Pollentia, though Alaric's army was not destroyed.

Alaric Withdraws After Pollentia

Alaric's followers continued to manoeuvre after Pollentia instead of being permanently eliminated as a military force.

Battle of Verona

Defeated by Stilicho & forced to abandon his invasion of Italy

Role range: 0395-0410

Invasion of Italy

Leads another invaion of Italy

Role range: 0395-0410

Alaric Fights Near Verona

Alaric faced another confrontation with Stilicho's forces near Verona during the early Italian campaigns.

Alaric Abandons Italian Offensive

After setbacks in northern Italy, Alaric withdrew and remained a significant Gothic commander.

Stilicho Negotiates Gothic Alliance

Stilicho explored arrangements with Alaric that could employ Gothic forces in western imperial strategy.

Invasion of France

Leads an invasion Army across the River Rhine

Role range: 0395-0410