Rome Sacked & Falls to Barbarians

I was able to talk to one of the people of Rome during the period of its sacking. Read on...

Q: When did this occur around?

A: The fall of my city happened, umm, around 410 CE. It was just awful, hard to think about.

Q: Are you sure you want to continue the interview, we can stop if this is too hard for you.

A: Oh, that's very sweet of you but don't worry. It's better to tell someone, you know, to get it out.

Q:  Okay, what exactly was going on?

A: Well, The Visigoths invaded us in the search for many things. While they were storming the city, they were shouting and looking for food, riches and treasure.

Q: Why were they doing this to you?

A: It was crazy. Those barbarians were trying to get away from those violent huns. Those people are crazy. I really don't blame the visigoths for running, but I am just not such a big fan of them taking it out on the Romans.

Q: They couldn't have done it alone though, right?

A: No! They had a ruthless leader, I believe his name was Alaric. Boy was he a character. He sends shivers down my spine and the look in his eyes will never get out of my head. Not many people got to see him up close. I wish I was one of those people.

Q: I'm sorry. How did they really, um, sack Rome?

A: He took siege upon us. He starved us out until we had to turn to cannibalism! Uggh. I was literally hiding from my own people. Not only was I hiding from the Visigoths, but my Romans! It was crazy! After too long of suffering, we finally opened the doors for those darn Barbarians.

Q:  What happened next? How will it affect the future?

A: They found that there was little food to be found! No surprise too, they starved us out! Alaric was in search for something better though. The mother of the world had been starved and he helped to createrd a setback for the whole world, for a really long time. Germanic tribes took over Roman territory and there is no taxation system. Kingdoms are constantly at war with each other and learning and education is not too appealing anymore. They really didn't help us advance in any way and we have a lot of work to do. Hopefully, we will pale by comparison to the future.

Julius Caesar & Fall of Roman Republic

I had the great pleasure of having a little chat with Julius Caesar! What a treat!

Q: What happened in your youth?

A: I had a good childhood. I was born in 100 BCE and captured by pirates at a young age. It was pretty interesting but even at a young age, I knew I wanted to achieve something amazing!

Q: Fascinating! I would like to know about your military styles?

A: Not to tute my own horn, but I was an ambitious military leader! I dominated Rome with my pal, Pompey and everything was going pretty well! In 58 BCE I set out with my army to make new conquests! I happily completed the Conquest of Gaul and crossed the Rubicon River.

Q: Who is this Pompey kid?

A: We started off very good in the beginning but then things turned sour! Pompey told the senate to order me and my army to retreat. Yeah right! We marched farther into northern italy. I crushed Pompey because he was so threatened buy me, ha! I swept through mediterranean and forced the government to make me dictator, of Ruler of Rome.

Q: Can you tell me more about Gaul and crossing the Rubicon?

A: Sure! It was around 55 BCE that I met with those German Barbarians at Gaul. There they stood across the Rubicon! I decided that I would make the first move! There, I built a bridge in merely ten days, ten days! what an accomplishment! When we finally finished and reached the other sides, the barbarians ran for the hills! They knew Julius was coming!

Q: How did it all end?

A: It was actually quite sad and painful. You see, I was stabbed to death in March of 44 BCE. The senate did it, those darn government people. Uggh, and it hurts me because I had too much power at the time of my death. So sad....

Q: How will this affect the future around the 21st century?

A: Wow! You are a far thinker! I created the Julian Calendar, which I expect will continue to be used for over 1600 years! It's based on the Egyptians so I owe them a little credit. Also a big thing, I turned big old Europe into a growing empire. That was tough. The outcome of this was the change into roman and then eventually the conversion to Christianity all throughout Europe

William the Conqueror

I was fortunate enough to have a nice talk with William the Conqueror...

Q: How did you come to get your crown?

A: What an interesting story. I wanted to gain the throne in Britain, while being the Duke of Normandy. King Edward died in 1066 without an heir, and I was determined to get the crown. I had fight two other guys to retrieve it though. This was the Battle of Hastings.

Q: The Battle of Hastings? Explain please?

A: I had to fight against Harald of Normandy and Harold Godwinson. They both wanted to taker control of Britain, but I wouldn't let that happen. I actually fought the battle in 1066 and if you knew anything about me... I won. I gained the crown on Christmas Day and man was I happy!

Q: Getting all of this new land, what did you do with all of it?

A: Good question! I brought back my entourage from Normandy, France and granted the a lot. I also gave a great deal to the church and spoiled myself with some.

Q: Could you tell me a little bit about your doomsday book?

A: Sure! I basically created a census book to take count of everything! And between you and me, I did it so I could tax them up!

Q: How could you be sure people were telling the truth?

A: Oh you know I would not tolerate lying. I sent exchequers to collect fees, taxes and other fines. They would check up on you and make sure you weren't lying!

Q: How are you going to affect the future?

A: I definitely think that my doomsday book will help to make an accurate taxing system. But my main accomplishment would be the executive branch. This is dealing with power and enforcing the law. No doubt that it will be used for many years to come!

Constantine the Great

I recently was able to interview Constantine the Great. Look below...

Q: What happened in your younger years?

A: Well I was born in 272 BCE. I received a piece of land during the Diocletian and gained control around 312 BCE. I gradually clawed my way up to the top until I was named emperor of East and West.

Q: Tell me about Constantinople?

A: Oh! How could I forget! One of my favorite accomplishments i fI do say so myself. I created Constantinople in the eastern region. Justinian created one of my favorite features of my city... The Hagia Sophia. Wow is she a beauty! This church is just wonderful and in such a convenient location!

Q: What religion was your empire based on?

A: I had my empire run under Christian rule. I definitely prefer Christian as opposed to Pagan beliefs. This was fabulous to change because it gave my empire more Christian allies, mainly from the powerful Rome. I was all for the freedom of worship and was sure to make that known throughout my empire. 

Q:  What have you done that you expect will affect the people of the future?

A: I know I have done a lot but I especially appreciate my acceptance of culture and religion. I have allowed for a great increase in cultural horizons. This hasn't just affected my empire but all around Europe. I hope that this will continue to function far into the future! 

Alexander The Great

I was lucky enough to do a Q & A with Alexander the Great. It was fabulous...

Q: How did you come about all of your success?

A: I was lucky enough to bring Greece under my belt in 338 BCE. I had a great childhood though. My father, Phillip II, and I lived in Thebes. He was very nice and hired someone you may have heard of as my tutor... Aristotle! Wow was he intelligent! I was so fortunate to see my dad conquer the throne on 359 BCE. He showed me the ropes and thank goodness he did! My mother, Olympias, managed to put me in the thrown and I am so glad she did! I was so successful, I wanted to conquer Persia as well but unfortunately ran out of time! Shucks!

Q: What happened with Persia?

A: I wanted to have it so bad! To show our enemies that I can take over anything, but I unfortunately couldn't. In 334 BCE I had ships crossing the Dardanelles on the way to take Persia. A while later, I had taken control of many territories and Persia was next on my list! I wasn't able to make it though because I grew very ill with a fever. I had to fight them in the beginning and boy was that a battle! They had the naval advantage but I lured them onto land and took them down!

Q: What other success have you had?

A: I don't want to brag but I am kind of a baller. In 326 BCE I faced soldier in Northern India with elephants... elephants! It was a amazing! I was determined to take more and advance further into the North but my soldiers grew too weary to go on. We headed home for Babylon... I also took control of Tyre, one of my many little islands. I built a bridge and viciously defeated them after they denied my peaceful way of going about it. Killing my little messenger, that was the last straw. I sure showed them!

Q: What can you tell me about Egypt?

A: That was one of the best moments of my life! I went there to conquer and to my surprise, it happened so peacefully! The egyptians crowned me Pharaoh and claimed I was from the gods! Can you believe that! I made Alexandria the center of culture and learning.

Q: How will you affect the people of the future?

A: I hope that I will greatly help those people. I modernized my territories with markets and shopping malls. What I really hope will live on is all of my improvements. My legacy is the spread of Greek culture. I created Hellenistic culture and achieved many advances in architecture, arts, medicines, mathematics and philosophy. Now that's something to hold on to!

Axis Age/ Golden Age of Greece

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Pericles, leader of Athens during the Golden Age. Enjoy!

Q: I understand that you are were the leader of Greece during the Golden Age? Can you tell me a little bit about that?

A: Sure! This whole Axis Age began around 546- 479 BCE. The golden age was began after we, the Greeks, kicked some Persian behind in the Persian War. It was great, it was flourishing! Drama and festivals are at the top of their game! The Golden Age of Greece ended when we unfortunately lost the Peloponnesian War to Sparta. 

Q: Were you doing all of this alone?

A: I had the help of my lady, Aspasia. She was foreign born and helped me through that era. We worked so well together!

Q: Did anything remarkable happen during these times? What was so great?

A: Why of course! Many things did! One that really stuck out for me was Democracy in Athens. I really tried to be the best ruler and to do that, I needed the help of my people! We had great advances in science and philosophy. Women were getting a lot of rights! People were reaching their full potential and we had a lot of different philosophers to help out! Socrates was one of the best! We used a hellenistic culture which was really working with the people.

Q: You are speaking of all these wars. Can you explain a little more?

A: Sure, We had two major events that really defined us. The first were the Persian Wars, and those were not too fun. Darius was out for us Athenians. We both met at Marathon and battled it out. We ended up defeating the Persians and what would come to be known as the beginning of the Golden age so f Greece. Second was the Peloponnesian War. This was around 431 BCE when Sparta launched attack on us. That used our enemies, The Persians, as allies. I just couldn't get over that! We couldn't use our navy and we allowed our citizens to come inside the city walls for protection. The overcrowding led to plague and killed many people. This led to our decline.

Q: Is there anything of yours that you think will continuously affect the distant future?

A: I definitely think that all of the culture and philosophy will survive! This was such a great era with many achievements which i hope will make it for a while. Culture and women's rights, the idea of potential and equality. Hopefully democracy as well. I just want everyone to get to experience what we all did!