Dynasty of Theodosius I and Barbarians in the West
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• Arcadius, Theodosius 2 in East, Honrius and Val 3 ineffectual rulers for the first 50 years – too heavily reliant on Germanic ministers – abused powers. Empire secondary to personal ambition.
• Stilicho a Vandal looked after H and A – managed to get into family. Although led many great victories – but kills Rufinus rival in East, disputes over Illyricum is this eastern or western land.
• Gainas Ostrogth – too powerful and had to be destroyed by Goth an Hun combo.
• 400 Germanic anger to East temporarily removed.
• VISGOTHS – flee Huns in 375, rebelled in 378 – kill Emperor Valens at Hadrianople. Then T the G settles them in Lower Moesia. Under power of ALARIC. Stilicho faces VG at Thessaly, but Rufinus calls off the troops – example of poor co-operation.
• VGs then have Greece to plunder, Stilicho’s expedition to Greece in 397 called off by Arcadius – fear of acknowledging Illyricum. Settled in Epirus and try to invade Italy whilst W. Armies distracted by Vandals in the Danube.
• 401 – Radagaius and Vandals face Stilicho – Rome threatened that court moved to Ravenna. Aleric told to go and protect Illyrian lands.
• Upper Danubian provinces heavily infiltrated by tribes in late 405 – Ostrogoths an Radagaius invade Italy, but only massacred with help of Huns. Uses up troops so Burgundians, Vandals, Sueve, Franks let in, Stilicho instead of protecting Gaul Stilicho too busy sorting out Illyricum.
• Same time Britain lost a usurper
• 407 – Constantine leaves Britain and proclaims rule over Gaul. Stilicho personally responsible for ill will between east and west – whilst doing this breaches of imperial defences.
• Alaric demands money and sieges Rome in 408 – leads to cannibalism. 410 Aleric sacks Rome despite chance of negotiated peace. Huge shock – recriminations between East and West.
• Meanwhile Gaul at the mercy of the German tribesmen. Burgundians settle in Burgundy, Franks into Belgium. Chaos as Constantine recognised Emperor – in 410 no less than 6 Empeeors, Honrous, Theodisus 2, Maximums
• Many people into Spain; Aslings, Silings, Siueves, Alans.
• 418 – Roman rule to Gaul restored, and maybe even to Britain.
• Theoderic head of Gauls, grandson of Aleric – chief ally of Romans until Attila in 452.
• 423 – Honorius dies – Joannes the Usurper backed by Aetius and huns – but in 425 Valenetian made Emp.
• Boniface’s rivalry with Aetius very strong. Aetius capable military general for 26 Years – protects south Gaul from Visgoths and north from Franks.
• Gaiseric and Vandals take Africa for good in 435.
• Aetius – beats Boniface, Burgundians beaten by Huns in 435. Goths to a standstill. 438 – 39 – NW Gaul repressed, 452 beats Attila.
• Aetius killed by Valentinian and Maximus – not good for the Western empire.
• Since 408 – Aleric – only Huns affect East – no German tribe makes an impact. Foreign Generals did come to power; Areobindus and Ardaburius – son Aspar plays important role.
• Death Theo 2 and Val 3 empire on the edge of destruction, both. But East same land on no foreign bodies, unlike West. Yes, Italy ravished by civil wat, but no foreign settlers.

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11. Peace and War - Rome and Persia - 5-7th Centuries
12. Practice Questions
13. The Age of Attila
14. The Decline of the Ancient World
15. The Mediterranean and the Dilemma of the Roman Empire in Late antiquity
16. Warfare
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