When Theodosius became Emperor, he acted cautiously, fortifying strong
points from which to watch the enemy and select a favorable moment for
an attack. At length he surprised their camp and gained a complete
victory. The Goths were taken into the service of the Empire, and the
first chapter of the barbarian invasion of the Empire was brought to a
close.

We now meet two of the great names connected with the fall of Rome,
ALARIC and STILICHO.

Theodosius was succeeded by Arcadius, and before the end of the year
the Goths broke into open revolt under their leader, Alaric. Athens
was compelled to pay a ransom; Corinth, Argos, and Sparta were taken
and plundered. No place was strong enough to offer effectual
resistance. At this juncture, Stilicho, General of the Western Empire,
hastened to the scene, and succeeded in surrounding the Goths, but
Alaric burst through his lines and escaped. He then made peace with
Constantinople, and the office of Master-General of Illyricum was
bestowed upon him. How sincere the barbarian was in his offers of
peace may be seen from the fact that in two years he invaded Italy
(400).

Honorius, who was then Emperor of the West, was a man so weak that
even the genius of Stilicho could not save him. No sooner did he hear
of the approach of Alaric, than he hastened to a place of safety for
himself, leaving Stilicho to defend Rome. Troops were called from
Britain, Gaul, and the other provinces far and near, leaving their
places vacant and defenceless. Honorius, who had attempted to escape
to Gaul, was surprised by Alaric, and, taking refuge in the fortified