Alaric the Goth (Boin) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available; in the meantime, use our LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for ALARIC THE GOTH … then take off on your own:

1. What were you taught in history about the Goths, and how does Douglas Boin's account differ, perhaps even contradict, what you learned?

2. (Follow-up to Question 1) The same question can be asked about the sack of Rome in 410. What were you taught about those eventful three days, and what does Boin tell us? According to the author, the sack was not unjustified. Agree? Disagree?

3. Boin takes on a near impossible task as a historian vs. a novelist: he attempts to flesh out a real-life character about which little is actually known. How well do you think he does in putting flesh on old bones? Note that he makes ample use of "must have" and "not hard to imagine" and other conditional phrases. Do those phrases detract from the veracity of his portrait of Alaric? Or does his reasoning, even if conditional, make logical sense and help create to a vivid picture?

4. How would you describe the late Roman empire? Much has been made in book reviews and author interviews that Boin might intentionally be drawing out similarities to our own present culture. Do you see any connections?

5. What were the difficulties that Goths, including Alaric, faced as they made their way through Rome's social and military hierarchy?

6. How does Boin view the fact that Alaric turned against the Romans, who had raised and trained him. Deserting his former commrades, he fought on the side of—and led—the Goths? How do you view Alaric's decision?

7. What, according to Boin, did the Goths and other border peoples want from the Romans?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online and off, with attribution. Thanks.)

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