All forces were recalled to Gaul, where a last stand against the myriad foes of Rome would be met. Now desperate, legions from the outlying provinces were recalled to defend the core of the empire.īritannia, the northernmost province of the empire, was no longer worth the manpower needed there, it was a lost cause. The incursions induced the timid Honorius to move his capital from Mediolanum to the Adriatic coastal town of Ravenna. Though a general of true brilliance and vigor, he proved unwilling to deal firmly with the Visigoths’ leader, Alaric, whose aggressive intentions were demonstrated by a series of invasions deep into Italy itself. As he turned out to be unintelligent and incompetent, the real ruler was his regent, Stilicho. Vandals, Goths, Suevi, Alans, Burgundians, Huns, as well as the long time foes from Gaul and Germania, were all chipping away at the western provinces.įollowing the death of Theodosius the Great, the empire was once again divided, with the western throne at Mediolanum going to his younger son, Honorius, a mere boy of eleven. Great Rome was in crisis, beset on all sides by enemies bent upon destroying the once mighty empire.

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