10.  The Goths, who had remained quiet during the reign of the great Theodo’sius, disdained submission to his unwarlike successors; under the pretence that the subsidy prudently paid them by the late emperor was withheld, they raised the standard of revolt, and chose for their leader Al’aric, the most formidable enemy that the Romans had hitherto encountered.  Instead of confining his depredations to the northern provinces, already wasted by frequent incursions, Alaric resolved to invade Greece, where the din of arms had not been heard for centuries. 11.  The barbarian encountered little or no resistance, the memorable pass of Thermop’ylae was abandoned by its garrison; Athens purchased inglorious safety by the sacrifice of the greater part of its wealth; the Corinthian isthmus was undefended, and the Goths ravaged without opposition the entire Peloponne’sus.  Unable to protect themselves, the Greeks sought the aid of Stilicho, and that great leader soon sailed to their assistance; he inflicted a severe defeat on the Goths, but neglected to improve his advantages; and before he could retrieve his error, news arrived that the faithless court of Constantinople had concluded a treaty of peace with Al’aric.  Stilicho, of course, returned to Italy; while the eastern emperor, with incomprehensible folly, nominated the Gothic leader, master-general of eastern Illyr’icum.

12.  Italy soon excited the ambition and cupidity of Alaric; he determined to invade that country, and, after surmounting all impediments, appeared with his forces before the imperial city of Milan.  The feeble Hono’rius would have fled with his effeminate court into some remote corner of Gaul, had not the indignant remonstrances of Stil’icho induced him to remain, until he could assemble forces sufficient to protect the empire.  For this purpose the brave general hurried into Gaul, assembled the garrisons from the frontier towns, recalled a legion from Britain, and strengthened his forces by taking several German tribes into pay. 13.  But before Stil’icho could return, the empire had been brought to the very brink of ruin; Hono’rius, affrighted by the approach of the Goths, fled from Milan to As’ta, and was there closely besieged.  When the town was on the point of capitulating, the emperor was saved by the opportune arrival of Stil’icho, before whom Alaric retired.  He was closely pursued, and the armies of the Romans and barbarians came to an engagement nearly on the same ground where Marius had so many years before defeated the Cimbri. 14.  The Goths were completely beaten, and a second victory obtained over them near Vero’na seemed to insure the deliverance of Italy; but Al’aric was still formidable, and the favourable terms granted him by Stil’icho, proved, that in the opinion of that general, the Gothic king, though defeated, was unconquered.