The History of Rome

In the early 450s a string of deaths changed the political dynamic of Roman world. Between 450 and 455 Galla Placidia, Aelia Pulcheria, Atilla the Hun, Flavius Aetius and Valentinian III would all die- leaving the stage wide open for the next generation of leaders.  Also, an announcment. 

In 451 Atilla the Hun invaded the West. He was repelled by a coalition of forces lead by the General Aetius. 

After placating Atilla with yet another indemnity, Theodosius II fell from his horse and died in 450, leaving the Eastern throne vacant.

In the 440s, the Huns began to direclty attack the Roman Empire. 

In the 430s the Romans dealt with increasingly agressive and confident barbarian tribes living both inside and outside the traditional borders of the Empire. 

This podcast explores the rise of Flavius Aetius, a Roman General who connived and backstabbed his way up the chain of command in the late 420s AD. It discusses the division of power in the Roman Empire, conflict with the Goths and Franks, the alleged Vandal invitation, and Aetius's alliance with the Huns to become the most powerful soldier and statesman in the region.

The Emperor Honorius died in 423, leading to a brief civil war between the Theodosian dynasty and a self-proclaimed Imperial regime in Ravenna. 

Constantius III continued to lead the Western Empire as its defacto Emperor until 421, when he was officially elevated to the rank of Augustus. Unfortunately, this elevation was not recognized by Cosntantinople.

Between 412 and 415 relations between the Romans and Goths shifted back and forth between alliance and antagonism. 

After failing to secure a deal with Honorius, Alaric sacked Rome in August of 410. It was the first time the Eternal City had been sacked in 800 years.