3-041-229 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Romans Feast in an Encampment While the Goths Starve; Des cas des nobles hommes et femmes, about 1413-1415. Additional Info: Though difficult to interpret precisely, this image of men feasting in a military encampment in Italy relates to the story of Radagaisus, leader of the Ostrogoths, who, after pledging to sacrifice all Italians to the gods, invaded Italy. Reaching Tuscany and confronted by the Roman army, Radagaisus was forced into the mountains, where he suffered from cold and lack of food and water. He and his entire army either succumbed to the dire conditions or were killed by the Romans. Boccaccio contrasted Radagaisus's failure with the victory of the Visigoth king Alaric, who successfully sacked Rome four years later. Alaric had vowed to spare the lives of Christians and was thus victorious.