Alaric

Alaric was a Roman general, who was a Gothic ally of Rome who entered into the military and was given charge of it under Theodosius I.
 * upon realizing the unfair risk to which Gothic legions were being subjected to, he incited the Goths to revolt
 * He first marched to Constantinople, where Theodosius I (and the new seat of imperial power), then to Greece before being stopped by Stilicho, a Goth who, after fighting in the army, had entered into the civil service

Alaric and Stilicho

 * start mediating between Rome and Alairc
 * senate gives Alaric and troops large sum of money (4000 pounds of gold)
 * subjects him to mutterings "you're a secret ally to Alaric," b/c he was a Goth
 * he's eventually killed due to intrigue
 * Alaric loses advocate in imperial court
 * Honorius fails to prevent killing of Gothic women and children (very young at this point)
 * Alaric blockades Rome (Rome can't feed itself, no food, never learned to defend itself )
 * Romans pay substantial ransom to him

Run up to Sack of Rome
Goths had wanted to be included in Empire, but mismanagement leaves them feeling their only option is to be an enemy of Rome.
 * Alaric makes demands:
 * large territory for Goths to settle (independent city)
 * wants to be commander of Roman army
 * Honorius refuses; Alaric blockades Rome again (emperor is in Ravenna; isn't seeing destruction first-hand)
 * Senate pushes Alaric to negotiate, but Honorius continues to balk
 * key sticking point (apart from land): Honorius won't make him commander
 * insulted Alaric
 * snuck soldiers into Rome to lead revolt
 * Senate finally concedes to Alaric's demands, Alaric marches to Ravenna to depose Honorius
 * Honorius rescued by Eastern Army 
 * Sarus marches against Alaric, on behalf of Honorius (member of tribe that hated Alaric)

Sack of Rome-August 410AD

 * Alaric is enraged after attack of Sarus, no way to deal with Roman empire, no treaty, no agreement
 * Enters into Rome, destroys parts of city
 * rumors: enter into augustus' mausoleum, throws ashes everywhere
 * probably: a lot of pillaging
 * shocks Rome, hadn't happened in 700+ years