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A Torn Empire: Alaric, Stilicho, and the Usurpers

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5th Century: Rome’s Twilight · FROM 50 BC TO THE FALL OF ROME

In the 5th century, the Western Roman Empire did not die only from external enemies — it also destroyed itself through ruthless power struggles.

🏛️ Stilicho’s downfall

Stilicho was Rome’s most powerful general, a “barbarian” (of Vandal origin) loyal to the Empire.

  • The dilemma: to defend Italy against the Visigothic king Alaric, he had to strip the Rhine frontier of its best legions.
  • The fall: despite his victories, he became a victim of court intrigue and was executed in 408 on the orders of Emperor Honorius. His death left Rome without a defender.

🏚️ Alaric and the sack of Rome (410)

Alaric I, king of the Visigoths, was not a simple invader. He had served in the Roman army and demanded land and gold for his people.

  • The shock: in 410, after being betrayed by the emperor, Alaric seized Rome and looted it for three days. It was a psychological earthquake. “The city that conquered the world is conquered,” wrote Saint Jerome.
  • In Gaul: the Visigoths eventually settled in the southwest (Aquitaine), creating the first autonomous barbarian kingdom on Gallic soil.

🎭 The carousel of usurpers in Gaul

While the legitimate emperor stayed shut inside Ravenna, Gaul became a playground for rebels.

  • Constantine III: a Roman soldier proclaimed emperor in Britain who crossed to Gaul in 407 to try to restore order.
  • Anarchy: multiple military leaders proclaimed themselves emperor at the same time, fighting each other instead of stopping Vandals and Suebi. This permanent civil war was the real cause of Roman powerlessness.

🛡️ Aetius: “the last of the Romans”

Amid this chaos, General Aetius managed to preserve a semblance of authority for 20 years.

  • His tactic: using one barbarian group against another (for example, Huns against Burgundians).
  • His achievement: he was the architect of victory against Attila in 451. But like Stilicho, he was assassinated by his own emperor, jealous of his glory — sealing Rome’s fate.

🧠 Key takeaways

  • Civil wars: Romans fought for the throne while “barbarians” entered.
  • Alaric: proved Rome was no longer invulnerable (410).
  • Stilicho & Aetius: the last great defenders, both betrayed by their emperors.
  • Consequence: the Roman army ceased to exist as a unified institution.

📸 Image credits

  • Diptych of Stilicho — [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Alaric entering Rome — [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons