Stilicho\'s Betrayal

[Timianus]

I don't see the difference. Alaric was a realist above all else. If he had to defeat the Roman army and sack Rome in order to get a good deal for his people, he was willing to do so. But if the Romans had been willing to treat him as a "friendly barbarian" participating in the empire's defense, he would have been happy with that ... e.g., giving him autonomy over Noricum and leaving him alone.

He probably didn't see the Romans as "friends" or "enemies" per se, just as a powerful entity on the other side of the bargaining table.

Ok.fair enough...we actually agree then.