Roma capta! – Comments on accounts about the sacks of Rome in the years of 410 and 455 in the works of selected late antique authors

Marek Wilczyński

Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny im. Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie , Poland


Abstract

In the presented article the author analyses depictions of sieges and captures
of Rome in the years 408-410 and 455 passed on by selected authors of Latin and
Greek sources from the late antique. The scope of the research included sources
containing more extensive narratives, while sources containing only laconic
annual information solely about the fact of capturing the city were rejected. In
the depictions of the capture of Rome by Alaric in 410 the authors rather tend
to seek supernatural reasons, and less often logical explanations of the origin of
the events, contrary to the depictions of the year 455, where one can find almost
exclusively rational justifications for the course of events, determined by political
situation. While discussing the events of the year 410 the authors oftentimes
create their own original digressions and allow for deviations from the historic
reality. The relations about the year 455 are consistent and show only minor differences.
Contrary to later opinions, the capture of Rome in 410 was not considered
a gigantic tragedy outside Italy, although it was recognized as a breakthrough
moment. For the eastern historians these events are remote, taking place in lands
far from Constantinople and often their depiction is used to indicate the superiority
of the Eastern Empire over the Western Empire. Sacco di Roma by Genseric in
455, which is referred more precisely and recognized as an element of significant
history and politics of the East (Vandals corsair raids, Leo the Thracian’s expedition,
recapturing Africa during the reign of Justinian I), is treated in an entirely
different manner.

Keywords:

late antiquity, Alaric, Gaiseric, reports on the conquest of Rome

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Published
2018-12-12


Wilczyński, M. (2018). Roma capta! – Uwagi na temat relacji o zdobyciu Rzymu w 410 i 455 r. w dziełach wybranych autorów późnoantycznych. Vox Patrum, 70, 311–338. https://doi.org/10.31743/vp.3212

Marek Wilczyński 
Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny im. Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie



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