Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A historical figure: Alaric refers to a specific king of the Visigoths, a Germanic people, known for leading his forces to capture the city of Rome in the year 410 AD.
   • A personal name: It is also used as a given name, derived from this historical figure.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The sack of Rome by Alaric in 410 sent shockwaves through the ancient world.
  • Alaric's campaigns significantly contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The name "Alaric" is often used in historical and academic texts to symbolize the transition from classical antiquity to the early Middle Ages, or to represent the "barbarian" forces that challenged Rome.
  • Historians debate whether Alaric intended to destroy Rome or simply to force better terms from the empire.

Variants and Related Words

• Alaricus: The Latinized form of the name.
• Visigoth: The name of the Germanic tribe that Alaric I led.
• Alaric II: A later king of the Visigoths (ruled 484–507), demonstrating the name's use in a dynastic context.

Synonyms

• The Visigothic King: A descriptive synonym when the context is clear.
• The Sacker of Rome: An epithet highlighting his most famous historical action.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and most common reference is to Alaric I (c. 370–410 AD). Without a numerical suffix, "Alaric" typically refers to this specific king.
• As a given name in modern use, it carries connotations of historical strength, leadership, and a connection to ancient Germanic heritage.

Noun

1. king of the Visigoths who captured Rome in 410 (370-410)