Zosimus, New History 6.12

The translation of Zosimus' New History offered here was printed in 1814 by W. Green and T. Chaplin in London, and was probably prepared by J. Davis of the Military Chronicle and Military Classics Office. The translator is anonymous. The text was found at Tertullian.org. The notes were added by Jona Lendering.

[6.12.1] On this occasion Attalus went to Rome, and convened the Senate. After some debate most of them were of opinion that the barbarians and the Roman soldiers ought to be sent into Africa, and that Drumas should be their commander, he being a person who had already given proofs of his fidelity and good will. Only Attalus and a few more dissented from the majority of the Senate, he being unwilling to send out a barbarian as commander of a Roman army.

[6.12.2] This was the first time that Alaric formed a design against Attalus to depose him or deprive him of life, although Jovius had previously instigated him to it by incessant calumnies, and false accusations. In order therefore to put his design in execution, he led Attalus out before the city of Ariminum, where he then resided, and stripping him of his diadem and purple robe, sent them to the emperor Honorius. 

[6.12.3] But although he reduced Attalus to the condition of a private individual before all the people, he kept him and his son Ampelius at his own house, until he had made peace with Honorius, when he procured their pardon. Placidia, the emperor's sister, was also with Alaric, in the quality of an hostage, but received all the honor and attendance due to a princess.