November 2014
Galla Placidia, Empress of Rome
Posted November 24, 2014
Galla Placidia is one of the most fascinating historic figures I know, partly because so much about her life is shrouded in mystery, starting with the date of her birth, sometime around 390. What is known has all the makings of an epic novel.
Buried Treasure: Alaric's Gold
Posted November 10, 2014
In 410 AD Alaric and his Visigoths sacked Rome.
Back when I was in high school, that date marked the Fall of the Roman Empire. Next came the Dark Ages, followed by the Middle Ages (they began in 800, with Charlemagne being crowned Holy Roman Emperor) and Modern Europe (1492—you know that date).
Do you suppose anyone noticed at the time?