Must See Series - Ancient Rome

This series on the BBC is superb. Although the order in which it was shown was a little odd as we jump back from Nero to Caesar, even further back to the peoples favourite, then way forward to Constantine then ending (logically) with the fall of Rome.
While watching this last episode I had the distinct impression its basis was something familiar (historians love theorising about the fall of Rome). Lo and behold, the advisor was Peter Heather whose book 'The Fall of the Roman Empire' I read a few months back.
Obviously during the episode they couldn't show everything in the alloted time slot. But there was a lot more going on in the ancient Roman world that was putting Rome under ever increasing pressure, finally causing it to implode.
For example, Alaric and the Goths were part of a huge ever increasing migration from Eastern Europe that suddenly arrived on the boundaries of the Empire at this time. The cause was the rise of the Huns in the Central Plains that pushed terrified people over into Roman territory.
However, on the Western side the situation was just as bad. Constantine III was declaring himeself co-Emperor and approaching with a large army. Other barbarians in huge numbers were romping around Gaul causing havoc within that part of the Roman Empire.
Back on the Eastern side relations with Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire were sour to say the least.
The only person who might have dealt successfully with all of these simeltaneous ruptures was Stilicho (shown at the beginning being executed outside the Church in which he sought Sanctuary). For 13 years he was at the helm (by rather dubious means) struggling with such issues as well as internal rivals and of course the chicken loving Emperor Honorius.
However, Stilicho was accused of a plot to place his own son on the throne. Amazingly, according to records he doesn't appear to have contested these charges and allowed himself to be executed. There is some debate over whether he did this through guilt or to prevent further ruptures in an Empire he now could see crumbling around him.
That was the meaning behind his deliberate 'Yes, I understand' when told he had been pardoned and would be unharmed by the Emperor.