Antique 1807 Engraving of Alaric I, the Visigothic King

A striking neoclassical copperplate engraving of Alaric I, the Visigothic king famed for his dramatic sack of Rome in 410 AD—an event that symbolized the beginning of the Western Roman Empire’s decline. Published in London on October 1st, 1807 by J. Wilkes and engraved by J. Chapman, this piece captures the imposing authority and historical weight of this formidable Gothic leader.
Alaric is depicted in a bold, plumed helmet and stylized classical armor, combining heroic portraiture with early 19th-century romanticism. The lower vignette shows a scene of tribal or military assembly—likely representing Alaric rallying his troops or being acclaimed by his warriors.
Size 11x16 cm