ALARIC II. King of the Visigoths, 485 507. He succeeded his father, Eurie. He was of a peaceful disposition, and wished to live on friendly terms with the Franks. Ills dominions were very extensive. Besides Hispania Tarra conensis and licetica, he possessed numerous rich provinces in Gaul, and formed an alliance, which still further increased his power, with Gonde band 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 Prankish monarch, Clovis, whose cupidity had been excited by the extent and fertility of the territories over which Alaric 11. ruled. An ex cuse was found for breaking the peace which existed between the two nations in the fact that Alaric II. was a zealous Arian. This circum stance had given great offense to many of his subjects, who were orthodox Catholics; and osten sibly to vindicate the true doctrine, the newly converted barbarian Clovis declared war against him. The result was fatal to Alaric II. He
was slain by the hand of Clovis himself at Vouille, near Poitiers, and his forces routed. Alaric IL is said to have been indolent and luxurious in his youth: but this may simply im ply that he was not fond of those sanguinary pleasures which captivated his savage contem poraries. He was tolerant in his religious con victions. Though an Arian. he did not persecute the Catholics. He enacted several useful stat utes, and kept a watchful eye on all parts of his kingdom. It was during his reign that the Bre viariunt dlaricianum, or Breviary of Alaric II. (q.v.), was drawn up. It is a selection of im perial statutes and writings of the Roman juris consults. Alaric II. sent copies of it to all his governors, ordering them to use it and no other. An edition of it was published by Hanel (Leipzig, 1849).