Alaric's Treasure

[Crow]

Hello achanceforgold

I think Alaric had very simple burial. I do not believe a river was diverted for once for elaborate burial. This is i believe the stuff of legends.

Visigothic burial practices evolved over time, with both cremation and inhumation (burial of the body) being practiced. Early Visigoths primarily cremated their dead, but this practice declined in later centuries, while entombment became more common. Burial orientation also changed, with the adoption of an east-west axis, reflecting Christian influences.

Initially, Visigoths cremated their dead, but this practice diminished in popularity during the 4th century. Inhumation, or entombment, became increasingly common, especially after the 3rd century.The Visigoths began to bury their dead facing east-west, which was influenced by Christian burial customs. Male graves often contained swords, axes, and belts, while female graves frequently held brooches, necklaces, and girdle hangers, The Visigothic material culture, particularly the Reihengräber (row grave) culture, provides insights into burial practices and social distinctions, including the use of bronze conical helmets as funerary objects and animistic designs.

The adoption of east-west burial orientation and the inclusion of Christian symbols in some tombs reflect the growing influence of Christianity on Visigothic burial rites. Some Visigothic burial sites show a mix of pagan and Christian elements, with some designs still being influenced by pagan traditions despite the increasing Christian influence. Visigothic necropolises (cemeteries) have been discovered in various regions, including those near Narbonne, and offer insights into their burial customs and material culture, sometimes showing a blend of Roman and Visigothic element.

We just do not know enough detail of events based on opinions of one source. Although he is closed in time frame to the events. Nothing is known about the movement of at least 25000 Visgoths and Athaulf from southern Italy the south of France? Did they go back over land through the north of Italy or by sea?

So there is much we do not know.

Crow

 

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[achanceforgold]

HaHa.... Mr. Crow that is funny.
You are one of the few people that gets it.
There is no big treasure in Alaric's tomb. If there is even a tomb.

My wife's theory is that Athaulf and the other Gothic commanders killed Alaric and throw his A$$ in the water.
They were stuck in southern Italy, running out of food and Alaric just gave them another disaster. I'm sure Galla Placida played a role in talking Athaulf into something like this.

But regardless of how he actually did die, I have to agree with you both. The Water Burial is highly unusual. I never heard of any barbarian nation or actually anyone doing this. And to dump a bunch of treasure in the grave. Personal Items, perhaps a gold helmet or something along those lines, yes. But just to bury all that booty they just stole from the Romans. Nope. Alaric wasn't their god. He was no Egyptian Pharaoh. He was basically, just their commanding officer. The Goth's weren't Asiatic like the Huns. They didn't bow to their leaders with total obedience.
And correct, Jordanes is the primary source for the Alaric burial. Who only briefly read it from Cassiodorus Senator's history.
Though Jordanes should know the area. Some think he is the Bishop of Crotone. Near where Cassiodorus had his school and library.

I will have to review Procopius, History of the Wars and see what he says about Alaric. And I can't remember what was written in R.C. Bockley's Fragmentary classicings of the later roman historians. I was actually researching another treasure. And the Alaric story kept popping up. So, I decided to start looking into it and concluded the real treasure is probably sitting offshore. Not some mythical grave,

But unfortunately, I am travelling and won't be able to gather information until this weekend.