Greetings all,
On this day we commemorate with sadness the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths on August 24th in 410 AD:
This
was the first time Rome had been taken by a foreign enemy in 800 years.
Although Rome was not the political capital at this time, it was still
the Eternal City and this event was a huge cultural shock to the entire
Classical world.
Rome
was gravely injured. Imperial buildings at the city center were
structurally damaged, Imperial tombs were looted and the ashes of
Emperors scattered. Citizens were taken as slaves (including the
Emperor's sister, Gallia Placidia) and many were killed. By 419 AD the
population of Rome had fallen from 800,000 to 500,000 citizens.
As
with all losses and defeats it is best to commemorate this event with
positive spirit rather than despair. Prayers for the City, the people,
and all that was lost are appropriate. Yet we must also recall that the
Spirit of Roman World is Eternal and continues yet today, and we have
great opportunity to build it anew and continue its legacy.
Marcus Cassius Julianus
Basilius of Byzantium Novum
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