One is reminded of a verse of Verlaine Je suis l'empire a la fin de la decadence qui regarde passer les grands barbares blancs But Sidonius's good nature was to be rudely shaken.

All barbarians were not friendly giants, and the Visigoths next door, under their new king Euric, turned covetous eyes upon Auvergne.

Sidonius had not been two years bishop of Clermont before he had to organize the defence of the city against their attack.

The Avernians stood out gallantly; they would fight and they would starve, but they would defend this last stronghold of Rome in Gaul.

But they were a small people; to resist successfully they must have help from Rome itself.