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THUS was the Eastern Empire preserved from the evils of war, and
governed with high order, contrary to all expectations, for its ruler
was still young. In the meantime, the Western Empire fell a prey to
disorders, because many tyrants arose. After the death of Stilicho,
Alaric, the leader of the Goths, sent an embassy to Honorius to
treat of peace; but without avail. He advanced to Rome, and laid
siege to it; and by posting a large army of barbarians on the banks of
the Tiber, he effectually prevented the transmission of all provisions
into the city from Portus. After the siege had lasted some time, and
fearful ravages had been made in the city by famine and pestilence,
many of the slaves, and most of the barbarians by race within the
walls, deserted to Alaric. Those among the senators who still
adhered to pagan superstition, proposed to offer sacrifices in the
Capitol and the other temples; and certain Tuscans, who were
summoned by the prefect of the city, promised to drive out the
barbarians with thunder and lightning; they boasted of having performed
a similar exploit at Larnia, a city of Tuscany, which Alaric had
passed by for Rome, and had not taken. The event, however, proved
that no advantage could be derived from these persons for the city.
All persons of good sense were aware that the calamities which this
siege entailed upon the Romans were indications of Divine wrath sent
to chastise them for their luxury, their debauchery, and their
manifold acts of injustice towards each other, as well as towards
strangers. It is said that, when Alaric was marching against Rome,
a good monk of Italy besought him to spare the city, and not to become
the author of so many calamities. Alaric, in reply, assured him that
he did not feel disposed to commence the siege, but that some
resistless influence compelled and commanded him to go against Rome;
and this he eventually did. While he was besieging the city, the
inhabitants presented many gifts to him, and for some time he raised
the siege, when the Romans agreed to persuade the emperor to enter
into a treaty of peace with him.
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