Alaric has spread desolation through North Italy,…

Alaric has spread desolation through North Italy, striking terror into the citizens of Rome.

Imperial forces under Stilicho's command engage the barbarian Danubian coalition at the bloody Battle of Pollentia (Polenza, near modern Bra).

The battle, fought on Easter Sunday, April 6, 402, is a victory for Rome tahht, though costly, effectively halts the Goths' progress.

Stilicho captures the Gothic camp, taking Alaric's wife and family hostage.

It is not unreasonable to suppose that he and his troops were hampered by the presence of large numbers of women and children, which give his invasion of Italy the character of a human migration.

Stilicho's enemies will later reproach him for having gained his victory by taking impious advantage of the great Christian festival.

Alaric, too, is a Christian, though an Arian, not Orthodox.

He had trusted to the sanctity of Easter for immunity from attack.