ALARIC II., 8th king of the west Goths, or Visigoths, succeeded his father in 434 A.D. He was of a peaceful disposition, and wished to live on friendly terta3 with the Franks. His dominions were very extensive. Besides Hispania Tarraconensis and Bretica, he possessed numerous rich provinces in Gaul, and formed an alliance, which still farther increased his power, with Gondeband and Theodoric, the latter of whom was his father in-law, and king of the east Goths. At length, however, he came into collision with the Frankish monarch, Clovis, whose cupidity had been excited by the extent and fertility of the territories over which A. ruled. An excuse was found for breaking the peace which existed between the two nations, in the fact that A. was a zealous Arian. This circumstance had given great offense to many of his subjects, who were orthodox Catho lics; and ostensibly to vindicate the true doctrine, the newly converted barbarian, Clovis, declared war against him. The result was fatal to A. He was slain by the hand of
Clovis himself at Vouille, near Poitiers, and his forces completely routed.
A. is said to have been indolent and luxurious in his youth; but this may simply imply that lie was not fond of those sanguinary pleasures which captivated his savage contem poraries. He was tolerant in his religious convictions. Though an Arian, he did not persecute the Catholics. He enacted several useful statutes, and kept a watchful eye on all parts of his kingdom. It was during his reign that the BrerUtrium, dlaricianiunt, or code of A., was drawn up. It is a selection of imperial statutes and writings of the Roman jurisconsults. A. sent copies of it to all his governors, ordering them to use it, and no other. An edition of it was published by _in 4528.