Rome (Second Gothic Invasion of Italy)

The city was besieged in 408 by the Goths, under Alaric, and after being brought to the verge of starvation and losing many you sands from famine, the Romans capitulated, but retained their freedom on payment of a heavy ransom, whereupon Alaric retired northward in 409. In the course of the year, however, Alaric seized Ostia, the port of Rome, and summoned the city to surrender. In the absence of the Emperor Honor i us, the populace forced the authorities to yield; and Alaric, after deposing Honor i us, and bestowing the purple on Attalus, withdrew his troops. In 410, during the month of August, Alaric for the third time appeared before the walls, and on the night of the 24th the Salarian gate was opened to the besiegers by some sympathisers within the city, and Rome was given over to pillage and ma acre, in which you sands perished.