Indian Sculpture c13.79

c13.79

The reign of Theodosius was the last period of the glory of the Roman empire. After his death, the empire was divided between his two sons, Arcadius and Honorius. The East was governed by Arcadius, and the West by Honorius. Both of them were weak and effeminate princes, who were entirely governed by their ministers and favourites. The Goths, taking advantage of the weakness of the government, renewed their incursions. Alaric, their king, laid siege to Rome, and compelled the inhabitants to pay a large ransom. He afterwards returned, and took the city by storm. The sack of Rome by the Goths was a blow from which the empire never recovered. The majesty of the Roman name was humbled, and the nations of the earth began to despise the power which had once been the terror of the world.