A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Σάρος), a Gothic commander in the Roman army, in the time of Arcadius and Honorius. He enjoyed great popularity among the soldiers on account of his bodily strength and his undaunted courage, and in higher quarters he was esteemed as a general of skill and determination, whose assistance in time of danger was considered to be of great moment. During several years Sarus stood in close connection with Stilicho, but rose against him when the latter wavered in the hour of danger preceding his fall in A. D. 408. Sarus along with other generals was so indignant against Stilicho for his timid conduct, that he resolved upon taking him dead or alive. He therefore, with a body of Goths, surprised the camp of Stilicho, routed his Hunnic warriors, and, penetrating to the camp of the commander, would have seized or killed him, but for his timely flight. Stilicho fled to Ravenna, and there perished in the manner related in his life. Sarus was henceforth a favourite at the court of Ravenna, was made magister militum, and consequently caused great jealousy to Alaric and Ataulphus or Adolphus, the Gothic king of the house of the Balti, whose hereditary enemy he was. When Alaric approached Ravenna with hostile intentions, the reckless Sarus sallied out with a body of only three hundred warriors, cut many of the enemy to pieces, and, on his return within the walls of the capital, had Alaric proclaimed, by a herald, as a traitor to the emperor and the Roman nation. Infuriated at this public insult, Alaric marched upon Rome, and took revenge by sacking it in 410. Sarus left the service of Honorius soon afterwards, and joined the usurper Jovinus in Gaul. Ataulphus followed him thither, still meditating revenge, and having been informed that Sarus scoured the country with only a few followers, surprised him with a superior body, and slew him after an heroic resistance. (Zosim. v. p. 337, &c. ed. Oxon. 1679; Olympiodor. apud Photium, p. 177; Philostorg. 12.3. Fragm.; Sozom. 9.4.)

[W.P]