These negotiations might have succeeded had it…

These negotiations might have succeeded had it not been for the malignant influence of another Goth, Sarus, an Amali, and therefore hereditary enemy of Alaric and his house.

Sarus, who has allied himself with neither the Emperor Honorius nor Alaric, is by chance staying with a small force of barbarians in Picenum.

Alaric's brother-in-law, Ataulf, harboring a long-standing grievance against Sarus, happens to be en route with his entire army to this very region.

Sarus, having been made aware of his approach and commanding only three hundred men, decides to flee to Honorius and to ally himself in common cause against Alaric.

After Alaric's camp is attacked by Sarus, Alaric, suspecting Honorius' involvement, breaks off all negotiations with the emperor and marches on Rome.