November 18: Today is the anniversary of the first invasion of northern Italy by Visigoths in 401 led by their King Alaric I.

Alaric I (370 - 410). He was king of the Visigoths.

Alaric was born in Peuce Island now Romania. He was trained in the Roman army and became a commander of the Gothic Roman allies.

Alaric I was the first King of the Gothic Visigoths from 395–410

When the Roman emperor Theodosius died, Alaric left the army to accept his appointment as chief of the Visigoths.

Alaric tried his first invasion to Italy by crossing the Alps in 401, coming from the Balkans with the intention to accomplish a supposed dream and vision from the sacred woods: "Break off all delays, Alaric. This very year thou shalt force the Alpine barrier of Italy; thou shalt penetrate to the city."

Migrations of the main column of the Visigoths.

It took Alaric nine more years to reach Rome and sack it, in 410. Then he decided to invade Africa but a great storm battered his ships and most of the troops drowned. Alaric died, some days later of fever in Cosenza, Italy.