Alaric has spread desolation through North Italy, …
Years: 402 - 402
April
Alaric has spread desolation through North Italy, striking terror into the citizens of Rome.
Imperial forces under Stilicho's command engage the barbarian Danubian coalition at the bloody Battle of Pollentia (Polenza, near modern Bra).
The battle, fought on Easter Sunday, April 6, 402, is a victory for Rome tahht, though costly, effectively halts the Goths' progress.
Stilicho captures the Gothic camp, taking Alaric's wife and family hostage.
It is not unreasonable to suppose that he and his troops were hampered by the presence of large numbers of women and children, which give his invasion of Italy the character of a human migration.
Stilicho's enemies will later reproach him for having gained his victory by taking impious advantage of the great Christian festival.
Alaric, too, is a Christian, though an Arian, not Orthodox.
He had trusted to the sanctity of Easter for immunity from attack.
Locations
People
Groups
- Goths (East Germanic tribe)
- Italy, Diocese of
- Christianity, Arian
- Christianity, Nicene
- Italy, Praetorian prefecture of
- Roman Empire: Theodosian dynasty (Constantinople)
- Visigoths, Realm of the
- Roman Empire, Western (Milan)
- Italy, Diocese of
Topics
- Middle Subatlantic Period
- Migration Period
- Fall of the Western Roman Empire
- Stilicho's Wars with the Visigoths
- Famines and plagues 400 to 800
- Gothic War (402-403)
- Pollentia, Battle of
- Verona, Battle of
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions
Years: 402 - 402
April
Locations
People
Groups
- Goths (East Germanic tribe)
- Italy, Diocese of
- Christianity, Arian
- Christianity, Nicene
- Italy, Praetorian prefecture of
- Roman Empire: Theodosian dynasty (Constantinople)
- Visigoths, Realm of the
- Roman Empire, Western (Milan)
- Italy, Diocese of
Topics
- Middle Subatlantic Period
- Migration Period
- Fall of the Western Roman Empire
- Stilicho's Wars with the Visigoths
- Famines and plagues 400 to 800
- Gothic War (402-403)
- Pollentia, Battle of
- Verona, Battle of
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions