Who started the fall of the Roman Empire?
The Visigoths (a Germanic tribe who migrated in waves across Europe) under King Alaric I (c. 370–410) started the fall of the Roman Empire when they laid siege to Rome, leaving the city vulnerable to other invaders. Prior to the attacks by the Visigoths, Rome had been the seat of an empire that had remained unconquered for 1,200 years. In 408 and 409 Alaric led the Visigoths in attacks on the walled city. They ended the siege after Roman Emperor Flavius Honorius (384–423) agreed to pay them the gold he had promised them earlier to attack his brother Arcadius, emperor of the eastern half of the Roman Empire. When Alaric and his troops went to collect the debt, however, Honorius refused to give them the gold. In revenge, the Visigoths descended upon Rome in 410, meeting little resistance as they stole valuables, burned buildings, and killed innocent bystanders. Yet Alaric was a…
