The Anglo-Saxons and the Goths: rewriting the sack of Rome
Malcolm Godden
On 24 August 410 the Goths under their king Alaric entered city of Rome and spent three days pillaging it. They then moved south towards Sicily, possibly in hope escaping to Africa, but died retreated back through Italy Gaul, from where they were driven into Spain by Roman forces 414. The sack was all accounts little material significance long complex history engagement with barbarians; it fact Goths' third visit years, on previous occasion senate had allowed them collaborated setting up prefect as emperor opposition Honorius, whose administration based Ravenna. Contemporary historians emphasized that western empire recovered dominance within just or four years at most, recent have seen attack representing a failure part Goths, who hoped use threat bargaining tool pursuit land supplies. Honorius his government seem been relatively untroubled. day after Alaric's seizure time, palace Ravenna, issue an edict ordering religious dissension among Christians North Africa should cease summoning conference Catholic Donatist bishops examine dierences. Liber pontificalis manages give quite detailed account time Pope Innocent I (402–17) good works without once mentioning (Orosius explains he happened be away Ravenna time). But event acquired remarkable prominence, distinctive significance, Anglo-Saxon perception past, especially Alfredian period: is mentioned prominently two Bede's historical works, Old English prose associated King Alfred, Æthelweard's Chronicle ; context end-point version Orosius's History World starting-point Alfred's Boethius. want here explore its developing for Anglo-Saxons, particularly world.
Anglo-Saxon England