Battle of Verona (402) facts for kids

The Battle of Verona was a big fight that happened in June 402. It was between the Visigoths, led by their king Alaric, and the Western Roman army, led by a powerful general named Stilicho. In this battle, Alaric and his Visigoths were defeated. This loss forced them to leave Italy for a while.

Why the Battle Happened

Alaric's Plans and First Invasion

Alaric, the King of the Visigoths, had big plans. In 397, he became a top military commander (called magister militum) in a part of the Roman Empire. This gave him power and a chance to plan an attack on the Western Roman Empire. The Western Empire was led by General Stilicho, who was also a very important military leader.

Alaric invaded Italy in late 401. He crossed the Alps mountains and the Adige River. Stilicho, the Roman general, quickly rushed north. He needed to bring more soldiers from Gaul (modern-day France) to protect the emperor's court. The emperor, Honorius, lived in a city called Mediolanum (which is now Milan).

The First Clash at Pollentia

When Stilicho returned with his new soldiers, Alaric had already captured Mediolanum. Emperor Honorius had to escape to a place called Hasta. Alaric tried to surround Hasta and capture the Emperor. But Stilicho arrived just in time. He had brought many new soldiers, including some from Germany.

Alaric then moved his army west. Stilicho followed him. The two armies met in a battle called the battle of Pollentia in April 402. Alaric's army was probably badly beaten there.

A Tricky Deal

Even after the battle, Alaric still had his cavalry (soldiers on horseback). He marched south, planning to attack Rome. Rome was not protected because Emperor Honorius was celebrating Stilicho's victory. Stilicho followed Alaric and stopped him north of Rome.

Instead of fighting again, Stilicho offered Alaric a lot of money. In return, Alaric had to promise to leave Italy right away. Alaric's soldiers and leaders were happy to take the money and be safe. Alaric, who had lost some respect after his defeat, had to agree. He really wanted to capture Rome, but he couldn't.

Alaric's New Plan and Stilicho's Ambush

Alaric kept his promise and led his army north. They crossed the Po River. Stilicho watched them closely, being very careful. Once across the river, Alaric started planning a new invasion. This time, he wanted to attack the Western Empire by crossing the Rhine River into Gaul.

Stilicho had spies who told him about Alaric's plans. So, Stilicho felt he didn't have to keep his part of the deal anymore. He set a trap for the Visigoths. He waited for them in the mountain passes between Gaul and a region called Rhaetia. This was the path Alaric planned to take.

The Battle of Verona

Trapped in the Mountains

The Visigoths found themselves caught in the mountain valleys near Verona. Stilicho's Roman forces surrounded them from all sides. A big battle started, named after the nearby city of Verona.

Alaric's army lost many soldiers. It was a very tough fight for them. However, King Alaric himself was able to break through the Roman lines. He managed to get to a nearby hill with his bravest soldiers.

Alaric Escapes

Some people who didn't like Stilicho later said that Alaric's army was in such bad shape that Stilicho could have easily wiped them out. If he had, it would have ended the threat from Alaric forever. But Alaric managed to escape. He and the few soldiers left from his once-strong army struggled over the Alps mountains. They finally reached a place called Illyricum. For a while, Alaric was much more careful and less eager to fight.

What Happened Next

A New Agreement

After his defeat, Alaric quickly made a deal with Stilicho. Alaric agreed to help Emperor Honorius. He would help Honorius get back lands that another Roman emperor, Arcadius, had supposedly taken. In return, Alaric would get money and a military command.

Stilicho's victories made the Roman people very happy. There were many celebrations, especially in the capital city. But Alaric still had big plans. New problems would soon appear, making the Roman Empire weaker.

Stilicho's Downfall and Rome's Fate

After Stilicho's victory over Alaric in 403, a series of bad events followed. Stilicho himself lost his power and was killed in 408.

One big problem was an invasion by a large Germanic army led by Radagaisus (405-406). Stilicho stopped this army, but in the next few years, other Germanic groups overran Gaul. Gaul was then lost to the Empire forever. Stilicho also couldn't stop a new emperor, Constantine III, from taking control of Britain, Gaul, and Spain.

In 408, Stilicho was tricked by a rival named Olympius. Emperor Honorius wrongly ordered Stilicho to be killed.

With Stilicho gone, Alaric found it much easier to attack Rome. Even though Alaric had not fully kept his part of the deal from 403, he crossed the Alps again in 409. He demanded the money and military position he believed he was promised. This was basically an invasion of Italy.

Emperor Honorius did not have enough soldiers to stop Alaric. He kept refusing to talk to Alaric. Honorius relied on the strong defenses of his capital city, Ravenna, to keep his court safe. But he left Rome unprotected. This led to a war that ended with Alaric attacking and sacking Rome in 410.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Verona (402) para niños

• Battle of Pollentia
• Stilicho