410 AD. Rome. A time when the Roman Empire was crumbling under the weight of internal strife. At its weakest point, the city fell to the Visigoths, led by King Alaric I. For three days, the invaders filled wagons with gold, silver, silk, and pepper—precious symbols of Rome’s fading glory. The event became known as the Sack of Rome, leaving one to wonder about the chaos and devastation that followed. But how do young minds process such a historic moment?
We followed a structured plan with tweens, providing information in stages to fuel their discussions. Encouraged to think critically, question freely, and share their perspectives, their responses revealed refreshing insights into this monumental event. Read on for a glimpse into how their interpretations may shift your own thinking.
Why Loot a City of Its Riches?
This question drew varied responses, reflecting their understanding of history:
“Historically, power meant annexing new kingdoms and maintaining supremacy. For some kings, it also meant protecting their lands. Either way, they needed a strong army, and looting was a quick way to raise funds.”
“Maybe looting was the fastest way to get resources for advancing their kingdom and making new inventions.”
“Taking a city by force shows power. It makes people afraid of the king and his army when they see the city being looted.”
The children connected looting to both strategic and psychological purposes, recognizing the multifaceted motivations behind ancient invasions. To them, looting wasn’t just about wealth—it was about establishing dominance and safeguarding the future.
Could a Modern City Be Looted Today?
The students were unanimous in believing it would be much harder to loot a modern city due to law enforcement and technological advancements. However, they also acknowledged that it would depend on the city itself.
This practical perspective showed their awareness of the world today, recognizing the complexities of modern security while keeping the ancient scenario in mind.
The Death of King Alaric: What Should the Army Do with the Treasure?
Upon learning that Alaric died of malaria after the sack, the children had creative and strategic ideas about what should happen to the looted wealth:
“Smart timing to attack Rome when it was already weak.”
“They should use the treasure to make the army stronger or to build new things.”
“Just like other kings in history, maybe the next king would take the treasure for himself.”
“They could use the money to build bigger defenses or even ports to protect their citizens better.”
“The army might have been worried about being attacked for the treasure, so they could hide it to avoid being plundered themselves.”
They even noticed the historical continuity of diseases like malaria: “Malaria existed centuries ago and still does!”
Where Should the Treasure Be Hidden?
The question of where to hide the treasure brought enthusiastic responses. “Under the ocean!” was the consensus, with a few geography buffs in the group pointing out that Rome was near the sea.
In reality, the treasure was buried under a river, but repeated attempts to retrieve it have failed. The children marveled at this fact, but remained undeterred by the mystery.
Should We Try to Recover the Treasure?
When asked if we should attempt to recover this ancient treasure today, their collective response was surprisingly mature: “Let it go.” They reasoned that the cost of retrieving it might not be worth it:
“What would be the point? It would only go to a museum, and we’d spend more money on security.”
“Why not use the money for something more productive?”
This response was eye-opening. To them, treasure that once held immense value in the past seemed less important now. They viewed it not as an exciting discovery to be chased, but as a relic better left in the past, suggesting a forward-thinking approach: “Use the funds for something better than another treasure hunt.”
A Sensible Takeaway from Young Minds
The Young Writers’ Club Jr. may be a small group, but their insights carry significant weight. Their understanding of the sack of Rome—and more importantly, the decision to leave history buried—reveals a surprising wisdom. Perhaps it’s not about the treasure at all, but about what we value and how we choose to move forward. Their conclusion certainly left an impression, and it’s one worth reflecting on: history’s treasure might lose its luster, but the lessons learned from it are priceless.
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