Note (return) — Chapter VIII

It is also a fact to be observed that these fierce tribes which overran Italy, harassed or captured Rome repeatedly, and threatened the overthrow of the empire, made no permanent settlement in that territory. "Under Alaric the Goths make no lasting settlement. In the long tale of intrigue and warfare between the Goths and the two Imperial courts which fills up this whole time, cessions of territory are offered to the Goths, provinces are occupied by them, but as yet they do not take root anywhere; no Western land as yet becomes Gothia,"—Encyclopædia Britannica, Art. Goths. After the death of Alaric (A.D. 412), however, they settled in the southern part of Spain and Gaul5—part of the territory of the West—but they no longer threatened the life of the empire; but, on the contrary, they became allies of the Romans in opposing the dreadful incursions of the Huns and other barbarians. Thus their invasion of the West was at first terribly destructive—like a storm of hail and fire—but their ravages soon ceased, except in their disastrous and weakening effects.