Rome's Gothic Wars

Rome's Gothic Wars: From the Third Century to Alaric is a concise introduction to the latest research on the Roman Empire's relations with one of the most important barbarian groups of the ancient world. The book uses archaeological and historical evidence to look not just at the course of events, but at the social and political causes of conflict between the empire and its Gothic neighbours. In eight chapters, Michael Kulikowski traces the history of Romano-Gothic relations from their earliest stage in the third century, through the development of strong Gothic politics in the early fourth century, until the entry of many Goths into the empire in 376 and the catastrophic Gothic war that followed. The book closes with a detailed look at the career of Alaric, the powerful Gothic general who sacked the city of Rome in 410. Students and the general reader will find a reliable survey of both Gothic and Roman history that explains why we know what we know, while ancient and medieval historians can use it as a first introduction to the many interpretative controversies that surround the history of the barbarians.