Alaric the Goth: An Outsider''s History of the Fall of Rome

In the conventional story of Romes collapse, violent barbarians destroy civilisation. Yet from a different point of view, those stale generalities become a history shockingly alive and relevant.

Alaric grew up near the border that separated Gothic territory from the Romans. He survived the emperors decision to separate immigrant children from their parents. Later, he was denied citizenship despite his service in the army. The three nights of riots the Goths brought to the capital in ad 410led by Alaric struck fear into the hearts of the powerful but were not without cause. Through Alarics story, Douglas Boin reveals the Goths complex and fascinating legacy in shaping the history we thought we knew but had never imagined from their perspective.