Ancient / Classical History

Terms to Know About Alaric and the Sack of Rome

By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide

Favorites of the Emperor Honorius, by John William Waterhouse. 1883.

Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Magister Militum - Master of the Soldiers (Comes et magister utriusque militiae was the highest ranking field army commander.)
Foederati - the allied, non-Romans who provided troops in exchange for food
Magister Officiorum - Master of the Offices, a very powerful civilian appointment, like the head of civil service.
Porta Salaria - Salarian Gate, the one used by Alaric and his men when they sacked Rome in A.D. 410. It was a gate in the Aurelian Walls.
Patricius - Patrician, an honorary title given to the man behind the throne in the 5th century, according to Peter Heather.
Visigoths - group of Goths created by Alaric and composed of Tervingi and Greuthungi and the Goths led by Radagaisus.

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