All Battles

Sack of Rome

410 • Latium Belagerung / Plünderung

Historical Overview

For the first time in 800 years, Rome was captured by a foreign army and systematically looted for three days.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Visigothic victory; enormous psychological shock for the ancient world.

Visigoths

  • Commander: Alarich I.
  • Strength: ca. 40.000 Mann
  • Casualties: Gering

Western Roman Empire

  • Commander: Kaiser Honorius (in Ravenna)
  • Strength: ca. 5.000 (Stadtgarde)
  • Casualties: Hoch (Zivilbevölkerung)

Strategic Context

Alaric's ultimate leverage following failed negotiations over land grants and payments.

Conflict / War

Gothic Wars

Roman victory; Alaric forced to withdraw from Italy for the time being.

Related Literature

Cover of Geschichte der Spätantike: Das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284-565 n. Chr.

Geschichte der Spätantike: Das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284-565 n. Chr.

Non-fictionAncient RomeAncient World

German
Late Antiquity

Historical Locations

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