European Kingdoms

North Italian Kingdom of the Lombards
AD 568 - 773

The Lombards, or Langobards, originated in and above northern Silesia (now western Poland) as part of the Suevi's confederation of tribes. Separated from the main Suebian host, they migrated south in the sixth century, filling the gap left on the north bank of the Danube in Hungary by the collapse of the Huns. After being used as a mercenary army by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the Lombards began to invade northern Italy after his death, diminishing the influence of the Byzantine Exarchate at Ravenna, and surrounding the 'island' dominion of Venice.

568 - 573

Alboin

570 - 571

Lombard territorial gains to the south of the Exarchate of Ravenna are formalised in the shape of the duchies of Benevento and Spoleto.

573 - 575

Celph

584 - 590

Autharis

590 - 591

Theodelinda

591 - 615

Agilulf

615 - 625

Adaloald

625 - 636

Arioald

636 - 652

Rotharis

652 - 661

Aribert I

662 - 671

Grimoald

671 - 674

Garibald

674 - 688

Bertharit

688 - 700

Cunibert

701 - 712

Aribert II

712 - 744

Liutprand

744 - 749

Rachis of Friuli

Duke of Spoleto (756-757).

749 - 756

Aistulf of Friuli

Duke of Spoleto (751-756).

756 - 774

Daufer, Desiderius of Brescia

Duke of Spoleto (758-759).

750 - 773

Rome is reduced to her ancient territory from Viterbo to Terracina, from Narni to the mouth of the Tiber. The Lombards subdue Ravenna, ending the Exarchate, and attack Rome. Rome is delivered by Pepin III, King of the Franks, and the Lombards finally surrender to his son, Charlemagne in 774. The ex-Byzantine Exarchate is handed to the Pope as the Papal States and northern Italy becomes part of the Frankish empire. The Pope also gains part of the Lombard duchy of Benevento.

774 - 781

Further campaigns against the Lombards are made by Charlemagne before they are fully subdued and absorbed into the Frankish empire. In 781, Pepin, son of Charlemagne, is given command of the Italian portion of the empire after the successful final conquest of the Lombards.