Rome Sacked/falls to barbarians (410 A.D.)



Alaric



      

Today, I am interviewing the one and only, Alaric, King of the Goths. 

Q: Why did you ruin Rome?

A:  I felt like I needed to and I wanted food and money.  I was a barbarian.  I tried to negotiate at first but they just had different ideas.  They would not stop disagreeing with me. I was actually part of the Roman Empire, but kings of the Goths. 

Q: And what did you want to do?

A:  I wanted to conquer the city on August 24, 410 AD. 

Q: And what did you do when you got to Rome?

A: Totally destroyed it.  Oh! We also took prisoners. 

Q: And what happened to Rome?

A:  Well, as I already said many times, it was destroyed.  It was the declare of the death of Rome.  There was no security, no infrastructure, and a rise of Christianity.

Q: Oh, thats too bad.  What happened when you died?

A: Well after destroying the city, we moved on.  I died at Cosentia.  My brother-in-law, Athaulf was elected.

Q: Well Alaric, thank you so much for coming here today

A: Yeah. It was good. Bye

Constantine The Great (324-337 A.D.)

I have interviewed a man that lived in the time of the great Constantine.

Q: hi, I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about Constantine’s plan for a new empire.

A: Oh, of course.  Constantine was a very smart man.  His plan was to reunite the empire.  It would be “New Rome”, the capital or Constantinople.  The city was origionaly Byzantium.  He basically just traced the outline of the city and seized control of the entire Roman Empire. 

Q: What are some accomplishments that he did?

A: Well, in 312 AD, he invaded Italy.  Oh, he also marched into Rome.  I believe he had a victory there in a battle against Maxentius. 

Q:  I heard he did many things in 324.  Could you tell me about that?

A: Oh yes!  Well, Licinius declared war in the spring of 324.  His first attack was in July.  Later on September 18, he brought his army across the water and forced battle against Licinius.  Also, later that year, he was able to enforce his religious policies. 

Q:  That sounds great.  Do you know what was his goal was as soon as he established his Roman Empire?

A: Of course I do!  Well, the city was founded as a Christian empire and he wanted to harness Christianity.  He was extremely dominant there and he is known as the first Christian Emperor.

Q: Sounds amazing, and how did he die?

A: Unfortunately, in 337 there was no drinking water and he passed away.  He probably got sick.

Q: Well thanks!  I learned a lot about Constantine and I enjoyed it.

A:  No problem, that’s great!

Caesar/fall of Roman Empire (100-44 B.C.)

Today I am interviewing my old friend that lived in Caesar’s time. 

Q: Can you tell me when Caesar was born and a little about his childhood?

A: Of course I can.  Caesar was born in Rome and he was a tall and healthy boy.  Unfortunately, he grew up in a rough time and many people were unemployed. When he was 15, his father died.

Q:  What are some accomplishments he has done?

A: He crossed the Rubicon with his entire army.  He had to make a huge bridge that could hold all of them and he did in a little over a week.  Julius also marched to Italy for a battle against Pompey.  He was the new ruler of Rome.  He later left Rome to join the Army. 

Q: Did Caesar make any mistakes?

A: Oh yes.  He made a huge one that led to his death. 

Q: And what would that be?

A: He forced senate to make him dictator for life.  His people were so upset with his decision to do this.  They assassinated him on March 14, 44BC.

Q: What happened after his assassination?

A: Octavian, the nephew of Caesar took over and defeated the assassins.

Q:  Well I appreciate you coming today.  Thank you.

A: You're Welcome.  Anytime. 

Alexander the Great 338 BC

 
I have interviewed one of Alexander’s friends.  She can tell me about her best friend, Alexander the Great.

Q: Where did Alex grow up and who was his father?

A: Alexander was a Macedonian and the son of Phillip the 2^nd, King of Macedonia. 

Q: How did the great Alexander become so powerful?

A: Well, his father left him at age 16 to rule.  He saw that his son had the best education.  Aristotle taught him and Phillip also taught him many things about politics.  Alexander was handsome and intelligent. 

Q: What are some things that Alexander did?

A: He had many conquests in Asia and he defeated Persia at Arbela in 331 BC.  He was also able to assemble an army and led it against the rebels.

Q: What happened to his family and what was the effect of that?

A: After the defeat of the Greeks, his family split up.  Phillip married someone else and later a young Macedonian assassinated him.  Conquering the Persian Empire was now in the hands of king Alexander III.  He ordered execution of all his enemies. 

Q: Well thank you for letting me interview you.  I have learned so much about the great Alexander.

Axis age/ Golden Age in Greece 460-429 BC

 

I have interviewed a good friend of mine that lived during part of the Golden Age.

Q: How did the Golden Age Begin?

A: If I am correct, it began with the Persian Wars.  Persia lost to the Greeks in 479 BCE. The Athens sent a runner to deliver the news to everybody.

Q: Were there any other changes during the golden age?

A: Yes, people gained much humanism.

Q: Can you tell me anything else that happened during the Golden Age?

A: Well there was the Peloponnesian War.  The Athens against Sparta.

Q:  Who won?

A: The Spartans had an amazing victory

Q: Can you tell me a little about the Spartans and the Athens?

A: Yes, of course.  I believe the Spartans were extremely strict.  All they cared about power.  They had a military state and they used to start training children as early as age 7. 

The Athens were not as strict.  They trade and make money, outlaws debt slavery, office is open to citizens, and assembly has more say. 

Q: Well thank you very much for telling me about the Golden Age in Greece

A: You’re Welcome.  Thank you for having me here.