Alaric's Treasure

By luigi_pagano

Sat, 09 Dec 2023
  • 645 reads
7 comments
 

When doing research
in the annals of history
there are some events
shrouded in mystery.

The leader of the Goths
was a man called Alaric
considered by many 
to be a military maverick.

An ex Roman commander,
he did not show any pity
when, without compunction,
he sacked the Eternal City.

He died at the age of forty
near the town of Cosenza;
no one knows the cause
but most likely influenza.

It is what happened next
that became legendary
but it is possibly a myth,
so we must be very wary.

The nearby river, Busento,
was diverted from its course
and he was buried in it,
with a treasure, on his horse.

Restored to the original state
the tributary hid his grave
so that it could not be found
by a treasure-hunting knave.

 

 

© Luigi Pagano 2023

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Historical Fiction
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Interesting! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Rhiannon. Yes, interesting but I wonder how believable the tale is; legends tend to grow around true events.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Brilliant, one wonders how you write something like this? It baffles the brain & Nolan

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Nolan. When reading of past events one either takes it for granted that it actually happened or embroider the story with a bit of imagination and, very often, that's how myths originate.

Cheers, Luigi

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

It is very interesting and I will be off to google first thing tomorrow as I know nothing about him. Did they find his burial place in the end, or is it still lost? Thank you Luigi!

One small typo here:

with a treaure, on his horse.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Claudine. He was the king of the Visigoths who on more than one occasion rampaged and looted Rome, which was what the Romans had done to others. Legend has it that on his death he was buried under a river, whose course had been diverted, with his share of the plunder and his white horse. Many have tried unsuccessfully to find the treasure over the centuries.
Thanks for reading and pointing out the typo, now corrected.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It does indeed, Jacques. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Luigi