Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/79

 The German Invasions 43 which followed. They turned back, full of wrath, towards Italy, and wasted the northern part of the peninsula during the following years ; then moved south into Tuscany.] Finally they entered the city of Rome and sacked it at Sack of Alaric's command. They did not, however, set fire to the Romeb y /, ., , the West city, as is the custom of the wild peoples, and would not Goths, 410 permit that any of the holy places should be desecrated. They then proceeded into Campania and Lucania, which they likewise plundered, and came then to Britii. . . . Alaric, the king of the West Goths, also brought hither the treasures of all Italy which he had won by plunder, and determined to cross from here over to Sicily and thence to Africa, which would offer him a final abode. But a number of his ships were swallowed up by that fearful sea, and many were injured ; for man is unable to carry out his wishes when they are opposed to God's will. While Alaric, discouraged by this misfortune, was con- Jordanes sidering what he should do, he was struck down by an early * ells f 41 ? death and departed this world. His followers mourned the buria j of loss of him they had so dearly loved. They diverted the Alaric. river Busento from its ordinary bed near the town of Con- sentia this river, it may be added, brings salubrious water from the foot of the mountains to the town and had a grave dug by captives in the middle of the channel. Here they buried Alaric, together with many precious objects. Then they permitted the water to return once more to its old bed. Moreover, in order that the place might never be found, they killed all those who had helped dig the grave. The Goths transferred the rule to Atavulf, a relative of Alaric's, and a man of fine figure and lofty spirit, who, although he was not distinguished for his size, was remarkable for his figure and face. When Atavulf had assumed the rule he turned back again to Rome, and what had been left there from the first sack was now swept clean away, as a field might be devastated by grasshoppers. He robbed not only individuals of their wealth in Italy, but he also took that of the state, and Emperor Honorius was able in no way