Alaric II was a king of the Visigoths who ruled from 484 to 507 AD. He is best known for his attempts to maintain the independence of the Visigothic kingdom in what is now southern France and Spain. His reign was marked by conflicts with the Franks and the Eastern Roman Empire, as well as efforts to establish a legal code for his people. During his rule, Alaric II faced significant challenges, including internal strife and external threats. His defeat at the Battle of Vouillé in 507 AD against the Franks led to the decline of Visigothic power in Gaul. Following his death, the Visigothic kingdom shifted its focus to the Iberian Peninsula.