Late Roman Empire, Valentinian-Theodosian Dynasty (364-455): Alaric’s First Invasion of Greece [1/2], Theodosius-I/Eugenius’ Civil War, [12/12]

72*ARCADIUS (30/31; r.383-408) (East)

73*MAGNUS MAXIMUS (u; c.53; r.384-388) (W)

74*FLAVIUS VICTOR (r.384-388) (W)

Alaric’s First Invasion of Greece (391-392) [1/2]

In late summer 391 a mixed band of Goths and allied peoples led by the king of the Visigoths Alaric-I, (40/35; r.395-410), crossed the Balkans and moved southwards through Thraciae and into Greece. This was a clear violation of the treaty in 382 and Theodosius at the head of an army marched out to confront the invaders. But just as in Macedonia in 379, Theodosius failed to protect his army on the march and his troops were surprised at the Hebrus (=Maritsa) River. His army suffered such a serious defeat that Promotus barely managed to extract his emperor from the fighting.

As a reward, Promotus was given the command to continue the campaign against Alaric. When Promotus was killed later in the year, he was succeeded by ⁴⁹Flavius Stilicho (c.49; fl.383-408), who surrounded and defeated Alaric the following year. Although on Theodosius’ orders Alaric and his people were let go, Alaric was forced to renew the terms of the treaty of 382, which, among other things, required Alaric and his Visigoths to serve the Roman military.

In 391 Theodosius had returned to Constantinople, leaving Valentinian II in the care of Arbogast. Valentinian entrusted the task of securing control of Gaul to Arbogast, who in the winter of 392 crossed the Rhine and encountering no opposition, plundered the country of the Bructeri, which was next to the river, and the region inhabited by the Chamavi.

Theodosius-I/Eugenius’ Civil War (392-394), [12/12]

In 392 Valentinian was found hanged and Arbogast, who as a barbarian it was unthinkable for him to claim the imperial title for himself, quickly proclaimed ⁴⁸Flavius Eugenius as augustus. In 394 Theodosius marched west once more and met Arbogast and Eugenius at the Frigidus (=Vipacco) River, near Aquileia. The Theodosian Eastern troops were led by Alaric, and Stilicho commanded the Western troops. The first day of the battle (5 September) ended in near defeat for Theodosius, who was saved only by darkness, but he attacked and won the next day, thanks to Stilicho. Eugenius was killed during the battle, Arbogast committed suicide several days later. Alaric now asked the emperor to appoint him as a master of soldiers and when Theodosius refused he turned against the Empire.