Alaric I was a king of the Visigoths who reigned from 395 to 410 AD. He is best known for leading his people in the sack of Rome in 410, marking a significant event in the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Alaric sought to secure a better life for the Visigoths, who faced hardships and discrimination within the Roman territories. Before becoming king, Alaric served as a military leader and gained experience in various campaigns against the Romans. His leadership and military strategies helped the Visigoths become a powerful force in the region, ultimately leading to their establishment in Gaul and Hispania after his death.