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400 AD to 476 AD: Dissolution
The first quarter of the fifth century saw the greatest impact of barbarian movements on the Western Empire, including the sack of Rome by Visigoths in 410. Withdrawal of legions weakened the frontiers, and by 425 a number of Roman provinces had been settled by Germanic tribes, although there is evidence of assimilation of Roman institutions by the invaders. Attila became leader of the Huns in 433 and Europe was threatened for twenty years. In the meantime barbarian enclaves in the provinces moved towards permanence, with Franks in Gaul, Ostrogoths in the Balkans, Visigoths in Spain, Vandals in North Africa. The city of Rome was attacked at intervals, whether by the new barbarian kingdoms or as a result of internecine conflict. The culmination was the German invasion of Italy in 476, followed by the deposition of the last Roman Emperor and the establishment of the kingdom of Italy under Odoacer.
401. Patrick captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland.
401. Vandals and Alani migrate into Noricum and Raetia. Stilicho forced to grant them land in exchange for military service.
401-403. Visigoths invade Italy under Alaric. Stilicho drives Alaric from Milan (402) and fights inconclusive battle at Pollentia. Stilicho bribes Alaric to leave Italy, but he invades again in 403 and is defeated by Stilicho near Verona. Treaty made.
403. Milan deserted for Ravenna as capital of Western Empire by Honorius.
405. Radagaisus invades Italy with army of Ostrogoths, Vandals, etc. Stilicho halts their advance at Fiesole.
405. Rhine freezes. Hordes of Vandals, Alans and Scieri cross and invade Roman Empire.
406. Vandals overrun much of Gaul.
406. Roman Britain expels Roman magistrates.
406. In the absence of Roman governors and troops in wake of Vandal conquest of Gaul, Romano-British elect own emperors. First is Marcus, who is succeeded by Gratian.
407. Third usurper, Constantine III, appears in Britain and crosses Channel in attempt to create realm in Gaul and Spain.
407 - 410+. Patrick escapes from slavery in Ireland.
408. Stilicho, with many of his Vandal soldiers, assassinated by Honorius at prompting of chancellor Olympius. Alaric uses pretext of unpaid bribe to invade Italy again. Roman troops allowed to rob and murder Teutonic troops in Italy - many desert to Alaric.
409. Alaric's three sieges of Rome.
409. Vandals invade Spain.
409. Honorius recognises Constantine in Gaul as co-emperor in exchange for help against Alaric and Visigoths.
410. Alaric sacks Rome, followed by death of Alaric as the Visigoths penetrate further south.
410. Withdrawal of Roman legions from Britain to protect Italy.
411. Constantine III defeated by Honorius' army.
411. Western Emperor Honorius tells Britons that they must look to their own defenses. However, sometime shortly afterwards the Comes Britannarium (Count of the Britons) is created and listed in the Notitia Dignitatum, the register of imperial officers, possibly as commander of an auxiliary force. The influence of three and a half centuries as a Roman province persists, for example in Gwynedd, where archaeology indicates a continuation of Roman society through the first half of the century. But there is a gradual reversion to tribal organisation based on the tribal zones which had provided the basis for the British civitates - the Roman administrative areas.
413-426. Augustine of Hippo: The City of God. Prompted by sack of Rome.
414. Alaric's successor and brother-in-law Ataulf marries Placidia, half sister to Honorius. Intends to combine Gothic and Roman nations into one.
415. Ataulf assassinated.
416. Visigoths conquer Vandal kingdom in Spain on behalf of Empire.
417. Placidia marries Constantius, brother-in-law of Honorius.
418. British monk Pelagius excommunicated for expounding freedom to choose or reject sin. Pelagianism proclaimed as heresy, with Augustine of Hippo as leading opponent.
419. Theodoric I elected king of Visigoth kingdom.
420. Death of St. Jerome at Bethlehem.
420. Possible date of founding of kingdom of Powys in Britain.
423. Death of Honorius. Power struggle ensues.
424. Aetius invades Italy at head of barbarian forces.
425. Aetius defeated. Valentinian III, son of Constantius and Placidia, becomes Western Emperor, but power rests with Placidia as regent. Aetius enters her service.
425. Tradition has Vortigern as king of Powys around this time, with rule extended over much of central and southern Britain.
425. Beginning of Frankish monarchy with Faramund.
426. Roman commander Aetius campaigns in Gaul against Goths and Franks.
428. Traditional date of Patrick's visit to Vallis Rosina (St. David's).
428. Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople, preaches against denial of Christ's human nature.
429. St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, visits Britain as envoy of Catholic church and to combat Pelagianism. Reports that organised Roman way of life still persists in British towns.
429. Vandals invade Roman province of Africa under Arian king Genseric.
430. Death of Augustine of Hippo during Vandal siege of Hippo.
431. Valentinian III makes peace with Vandals in Africa.
431. Nestorius excommunicated by Council of Ephesus.
431. Palladius sent to Irish as first bishop. [Prosper]
432. Traditional date of beginning of Patrick's mission to Ireland.
433. Attila becomes ruler of Huns.
435. Burgundians make peace with Aetius but are attacked by Huns.
436. Huns destroy Burgundian kingdom of Worms.
439 -. Vandals break peace and seize Carthage.
440. Vandals invade Sicily.
440. Leo the Great becomes pope.
441. Attila crosses Danube and takes Belgrade, Sofia, and threatens Constantinople.
442. Vandal settlement in Africa recognised by Valentinian III; end of Vandal migrations. But piracy continues from N. African bases. Arianism positively promoted by Vandals, persecution of Catholics, destruction of churches.
446. Britons appeal to Roman general Aetius for help against Picts, Scots and Saxons.
447. Attila enters Thrace, Thessaly, Scythia. Bought off by Eastern Emperor and turns attentions to West.
447. Germanus of Auxerre visits Britain for second time to combat Pelagianism. Attempts to convert Vortigern to Catholicism, according to Nennius.
449. Vortigern invites Hengist and Horsa to settle in Kent and assist in struggle against Picts and Scots. SAXON ADVENT, according to Bede and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
449. Second Council of Ephesus finds in favour of Monophysite heresy.
450. Marcian succeeds as Eastern emperor and discontinues tribute to Attila. Valentinian III does likewise.
451. Attila attacks Western empire. Defeated at Catalaunian Fields in Gaul by Aetius, supported by Visigoths.
451. Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon rejects Monophysite heresy and declares for Christ's two distinct natures, human and divine, united with the Godhead.
452. Attila advances into Italy. Aquileia ravaged, Milan falls. Pope Leo the Great persuades Attila to withdraw, aided by news of reinforcements from East and by plague amongst the Huns.
453. Death of Attila during his wedding feast. Hunnish threat to West ends.
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© Barrie Foster & Associates 2000
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