Athaulf

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Athaulf (c. 370–415) was king of the Visigoths from 411 to 415. He was elected after the murder of Segeric, and he stopped Alaric’s plan to move the Goths further into Italy. While Gaul was breaking away from the Western Roman Empire, Constantius, the western general, with Gothic help, defeated the Gaulish rebellion. In 412 Athaulf led his people out of Italy into Gaul, taking Honorius’ half-sister Galla Placidia as a hostage.

In Gaul, Athaulf clashed with Jovinus, who had declared his brother Sebastianus as co-emperor. Feeling sidelined, Athaulf allied with Honorius, defeated Jovinus, and had both Jovinus and Sebastianus executed. The Visigoths then took cities in Gaul, including Narbonne and Toulouse, and even tried to take Marseille, where he was wounded. In 414, Athaulf married Placidia in Narbonne, strengthening ties with Rome. He also supported Priscus Attalus as emperor, but Roman naval power blocked his plans.

In 415 Athaulf and his people began retreating to northern Hispania after a renewed Roman blockade. Attalus was captured and banished. Placidia traveled with Athaulf; their son Theodosius died in infancy. In Barcelona, Athaulf was killed by a follower of Sarus. Sigeric briefly became king before being murdered, and Wallia eventually took the throne. Placidia later returned to Ravenna and remarried Constantius in 417. Main sources for Athaulf’s life include Orosius, Hydatius, and Prosper of Aquitaine.