Rome's Gothic Wars
From the Third Century to Alaric

An introduction to the Roman Empire's relations with one of the most important barbarian groups of the ancient world.

Michael Kulikowski (Author)

9780521608688, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 May 2008

240 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.36 kg

'An extraordinary window back into the life-and-death struggles of the late Roman Empire. Kulikowski brings an epic conflict, rich in character and detail, to life. A great book.' Robert Gardner, three-time Emmy winner and Academy Award nominee, Producer/Director Barbarians

Rome's Gothic Wars is a concise introduction to 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.

Prologue: before the gates of Rome
1. The Goths before Constantine
2. The Roman Empire and the barbarian society
3. The search for the Gothic origins
4. Imperial politics and the rise of Gothic power
5. Goths and Romans, 332–376
6. The Battle of Adrianople
7. Theodosius and the Goths
8. Alaric and the sack of Rome.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]