In the 5th century AD, Rome and its empire had become mere shadows of their former military and political might. For over a century, starting with the Battle of Adrianople in 378, barbarian populations (Goths, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and others) had settled within the empire, integrating into its army and permanently altering the political and economic structure of Roman society, which could no longer repel these Slavic and Germanic groups. Among these barbarian forces serving in the Roman military was Alaric, who, in 398, held the position of magister militum per Illyricum (commander of the military in the province of Illyricum), equivalent to a modern general, under Emperor Arcadius. Simultaneously, Alaric had been crowned king of the Visigoths (the Western Goths) in 395.

After various disputes with the Western Roman Empire and a first invasion of Italy in 401, Alaric, angered by Emperor Honorius' failure to honor prior agreements, decided to invade Italy again in 410. He crossed the Alps with his relative Ataulf and reached the gates of Rome. Seizing control of the city's access bridge and the Tiber River, he caused a famine within the city. However, the Roman walls, seemingly impregnable, prevented the Visigothic leader from breaching the city. Using his military ingenuity, Alaric sent envoys to the Senate to commend their loyalty to the emperor and their resilience under siege. Additionally, as recounted by Procopius, he sent 300 slaves as a token of respect. In reality, these slaves were Alaric’s men, who, having gained the senators' trust, opened the gates from within—likely aided by some Romans weary of famine and eager to end the siege.

As was customary, from August 24 to 27, 410, Alaric’s Goths and Visigoths ravaged the Eternal City, plundering its wealth but sparing places of worship out of respect for sacred sites. On their third attempt, the Visigothic king’s forces breached the heart of the Western Roman Empire, accelerating its collapse, which ultimately occurred in 456.