When “barbarians” sacked Rome in the early fifth century, the lion’s share of their spoils came from the ruling class of extortioners. Government corruption sparked many of the frequent revolts in the ...

The sack marked a decisive end to the flourishing cultural period known as the High Renaissance. Rome had been the epicenter of artistic achievement, home to Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bramante.

Led by Alaric, the Goths sack Rome. Attila the Hun seizes power in the midst of chaos and destruction, while the barbarians move in for the kill.