There is a dispute among the historians of the late empire whether the barbarians invigorated or destroyed the empire.This episode paints a positive picture of the Goths, mainly their leader Alaric who appears as a keen politician and an honourable man betrayed by the the weakling Onorious, Roman Emperor, prey himself to scheming courtiers and vindictive former Goths who have been romanized. This depiction applies specifically to the Goths who appear as manipulated refugees seeking a homeland that has been promised to them.Other barbarians do not receive such good press but neither appear in this episode.Recent books do not accept such a mild consideration of barbarian intrusion in Roman soil. But it is still a plausible interpretation well dramatized.
Review of The Fall of Rome
