In the hushed whispers of history, few tales evoke as much intrigue and fascination as the legend of King Alaric and his fabled treasure. With a fortune estimated at a staggering 28,000 billion VND, the whereabouts of this ancient wealth have remained veiled in secrecy, known only to a select few throughout the annals of time.
Busento river section, near the confluence with the Crati river in the Italian city of Cosenza – Photo: Gianlucacs
Alaric, the formidable Visigoth king, etched his name into the chronicles of antiquity when his battle-hardened army descended upon the illustrious city of Rome in 410 AD, seizing its riches and altering the course of history. Amidst the spoils of conquest were 2 tons of pure gold, 12 tons of silver, opulent silk garments, and a bounty of other priceless artifacts, amounting to a fortune estimated at $1.2 billion USD.
Illustration treasure
Yet, Alaric’s triumph was short-lived, as his demise shortly followed the sacking of Rome, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery. The location of his final resting place has eluded historians for centuries, with many speculating that the waters of a river in Cosenza, Italy, conceal his burial site.
Legend holds that in a bid to safeguard their king’s tomb from desecration, Alaric’s loyal soldiers diverted the flow of the river, interring him alongside his treasures in a stone sepulcher before allowing the waters to resume their natural course. Among those entrusted with the knowledge of this hidden trove was a miner named Asalem, believed to be the sole survivor of Alaric’s entourage.
King Alaric rode through the city of Athens on horseback when he conquered the city in 395.
However, the fate of Asalem remains a mystery unto itself, as he vanished without a trace, leaving behind whispers of his allegiance to Alaric’s legacy. Rumors abound, with some speculating that he absconded with the treasure, while others suggest he became a guardian of its sacred secret.
The enigma of Alaric’s treasure persisted into the 20th century, when the allure of its riches captivated even the likes of Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leader dispatched SS forces and archaeologists in a futile attempt to unearth the treasure in 1937, further adding to the mystique surrounding its elusive whereabouts.
In a bid to unravel the secrets of the past, Italian researchers, in collaboration with the Cosenza city government, have embarked on a historic quest to locate Alaric’s tomb and the treasures it holds. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, including drones, ground-penetrating radar, and infrared imaging, they have identified potential burial sites along the riverbanks and caves of Cosenza.
Mario Occhiuto, Mayor of Cosenza, expressed unwavering support for the endeavor, emphasizing its significance in uncovering a vital chapter of human history. He remarked, “This may be the greatest treasure in human history, part of the world’s heritage, waiting to be rediscovered.”
Despite skepticism from some quarters, the quest for Alaric’s treasure continues unabated, driven by a collective desire to unlock the secrets of the past and preserve its legacy for generations to come. As the search unfolds, the identity of the enigmatic guardian who holds the key to this ancient fortune remains a tantalizing enigma, adding another layer of intrigue to an already captivating tale of lost riches and forgotten kingdoms.