Flavius Stilicho was one of the most powerful men in the Roman Empire during the reigns of Theodosius I and Honorius. When Theodosius died in 395, he left the empire divided between his two young sons, the West going to Honorius, with Stilicho as Regent. The Empire was immediately threatened by the Visigoths, under Alaric, who led them into Greece. Stilicho forced them to withdraw.

          In 400, Alaric invaded Italy. Stilicho called to his aid the Roman legions from Gaul and Britain, and the Visigoths were driven out in 403. In 405, a barbarian horde that poured into Italy from the north was almost wiped out by Stilicho’s forces.

           Later, a minister of Honorius’ named Olympius convinced the young emperor that Stilicho wanted to depose him, and put his own son on the throne. Honorius believed this, and ordered for Stilicho’s arrest. He later beheaded Stilicho. Alaric immediately invaded Italy again, and captured Rome.