ng and crossed, despite the prohibition of the Romans. They found
the condition of their brethren, the Visigoths, so sad, that they united
with them in open revolt, defeated a Roman army sent against them, and
ravaged Thrace. The Emperor Valens took the field in person, and was
defeated (378). The Goths then moved southward and westward into Greece,
everywhere pillaging the country.

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 town of Asta,
was there besieged until the arrival of the brave Stilicho, who attacked
the besiegers, and after a bloody fight utterly routed them. In his
retreat, Alaric attempted to attack Verona, but he was again defeated,
and escaped only by the fleetness of his horse. Honorius returned home
(404), and enjoyed a triumph.

Rome had scarcely time to congratulate herself upon her escape from the
Goths, when she was threatened by a new enemy.

The Huns, pushi