Ataulf’s first act following his unanimous election to the Visigothic supreme command had been to halt Alaric's southward expansion of the Goths in Italy.

He has led the Goths into Gaul at the instigation of Honorius, who has promised to recognize a Visigothic Kingdom if he defeats the several usurpers who threaten the Roman Empire.

At the same time, a new general has been found to support Honorius.

Constantius, Honorius' Moesian-born magister militum (master of the soldiers), enters Gaul in 411 and, after defeating Gerontius, in turn besieges Constantine in Arles.

Constantine holds out, hoping for the return of his general Edobichus, who is raising troops in northern Gaul among the Franks, but on his return, Edobichus is defeated by a simple stratagem.

Constantine's last slender hope fades when his last troops guarding the Rhine abandon him to support Jovinus.

He takes refuge in a church and is ordained before surrendering to Constantius.