Stilico - A History of the Italian Empire

In 397, at the age of 58, Ambrose of Milan had died. He provided a continuity of leadership through an age during which no fewer than six different men laid claim to the imperial throne in Milan. Stilico sprang into action when the grain stopped coming because he knew that any disruption would have been devastating for his political legitimacy. In 398th then, Stilico ordered an invasion force to head south, topple Gildo and retake the farms and ports of the region.