European Kingdoms

Langobards (Lombards)

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The Germanic tribes seem to have originated in a homeland in southern Scandinavia (Sweden and Norway, with the Jutland area of northern Denmark, along with a very narrow strip of Baltic coastline). They had been settled here for over two thousand years following the Indo-European migrations. The Germanic ethnic group began as a division of the western edge of late proto-Indo-European dialects around 3300 BC, splitting away from a general westwards migration to head towards the southern coastline of the Baltic Sea. By the time the Germanic tribes were becoming key players in the politics of Western Europe in the last two centuries BC, the previously dominant Celts were on the verge of being conquered and dominated by Rome. They had already been pushed out of northern and Central Europe by a mass of Germanic tribes which were steadily carving out a new homeland.

The Langobards (or Langobardi) originated in and above northern Silesia (now western Poland) as part of the Suevi confederation of tribes. It is possible that they, like the Goths, had earlier origins in southern Scandinavia and were forced to migrate due to population expansion. They were also known by their original ethnic name, the Winnili ('Winn' probably being Germanic for 'striving' and 'being victorious', added to an 'il/el' diminutive suffix and a Latin plural, '-il', producing something along the lines of 'the little tribe that succeeds in fighting' or 'the little winners'). The later name of that part of the tribe that apparently migrated out of Scandinavia was the Langobards, or 'hound clan'. Their founder is sometimes named as Sceafa Longbeardum, the Sceaf of Angeln who perhaps is confused with an early Langobard ruler of the same name, or hints at an early connection between the two tribes during (or before) their sojourn on the southern Baltic coastline in the first and second centuries AD.

The Langobards played little part in the downfall of the Roman empire. 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 Pannonia by the collapse of the Huns. After being used as a mercenary army by the Byzantine empire, the Lombards began to invade northern Italy.

Few Langobard leaders are known before the tribe entered into northern Italy to create its 'North Italian Kingdom', but Paul the Deacon's Historia Langobardorum, which was taken in part from the Origo Gentis Langobardorum, around the middle of the seventh century, does paint a creditable story of their origins in northern Central Europe.

As a member of a long-established Lombard family in Italy, he was well placed to be able to access tribal folk tales, but his claim is fanciful where it concerns the name 'Langobard' pertaining to the length of beards worn by the men. A modern theory which contradicts the reasoning that the name means 'hound clan' suggests that it instead stems from one of the names of Odin, and was taken when the tribe made a conscious switch to the worship of that god.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information by Edward Dawson and Vassil Karloukovski, from The Langobards and the 'Vulgares' in Historia Langobardorum, J Otto Maenchen-Helfen (California Press, 1973), from the Codex Gothanus, Lupus Servatus (commissioned by Eberhard of Friuli), from Histories, Annals, Tacitus, from Geography, Ptolemy, and from External Link: Geography, Strabo (H C Hamilton & W Falconer, London, 1903, Perseus Online Edition).)

1st century BC?

Paul the Deacon attests that, due to population pressure in southern Scandinavia, a small tribe named the Winnili divide their number into three parts and chose by lot which part will leave (a practice that is typical in German folk tales). Two leaders, Ibo and Alo, are appointed to command the unlucky part and they lead it to the southern shores of the Baltic Sea in the region between the Elbe and the Oder, where they resettle. Their landing place is Scoringa, which, by common agreement, is thought to mean 'shoreline'.

Prosper of Aquitaine names the leaders as Iborea and Agio, while Saxo-Grammaticus calls them Ebbo and Aggo, and the popular song of Gothland names them as Ebbe and Aaghe. The event, if it happens at all, is undatable, but could be placed after the large-scale incursion of the sea into Jutland between 120-114 BC, which triggered population movements in Scandinavia.

Joint leader during the exodus from Scandinavia.

Brother and co-leader.

Scoringa is part of the territory of the Vandali. Their chieftains, Ambri and Assi, demand tribute, with the threat of war against this small upstart tribe if it is not paid. The Winnili refuse to be cowed and chose war, Legend has it that the Winnili women join the battle line, with their long hair tied forwards in front of their faces to resemble long beards.

A close-up of the Valdinievole plate showing Lombard King Agilulf (591-615) receiving the submission of barbarous enemies, flanked by winged victories, although its authenticity has been questioned

8 - 6 BC

Migrations of Marcomanni from the region of northern Bavaria and the River Main lead them to the homeland of the Boii in Bohemia. The Marcomanni king, Maroboduus, forms a confederation of tribes which includes Langobards, Lugii, Marcomanni, and Senones, along with the Boii themselves. Possibly this also incorporates remnants of the alliances of Ariovistus of the Suevi in 58 BC. Thanks to this event it would seem that the Langobards, if they really had originated in Scandinavia, had migrated into Central Europe before even the Goths.

AD 5 - 6

Roman Emperor Tiberius undertakes campaigns against various German tribes in an effort to extend the frontiers of the empire from the Rhine to the Elbe. At this time the Langobards dwell between the Weser and the lower Elbe. They are described by court historian Velleius Paterculus as 'more fierce than ordinary German savagery,' when they take part in attacks led by the Marcomanni. Their power is broken by the legions of Tiberius.

17 - 19

War breaks out between Arminius of the Cherusci and Maroboduus of the Marcomanni. The cause is Maroboduus' decision not to join the Cherusci-Roman war of AD 9 in common cause with his fellow Germans. Now the Cherusci join with some of Maroboduus' own Suevi subjects, the Langobards and the Semnones, to stage a revolt against his power. Following an indecisive battle, Maroboduus withdraws into territory that later forms Bohemia.

20

Strabo places the Langobards near the mouth of the Elbe. They are in frequent and close relations with the Hermunduri and Semnones, two great Suevic tribes who dwell higher up the stream. Strabo seems to suggest that in his time the Hermunduri and Langobards had been driven from the left to the right bank of the Elbe.

The mouth of the River Elbe was held by the Langobards during the early part of the first century AD, but it was also the only access to the sea for the powerful Semnones tribe

47

After the nobility of the Cherusci has been destroyed by internal conflict, a Roman-educated prince is appointed as their king. However, he soon falls out of favour with his people and they attempt to expel him. The Langobards, previously a minor tribe under the dominance of the once-mighty Cherusci and Marcomanni, now appear on the scene with enough authority and strength to impose the restoration of the deposed king.

98

In his work on Greater Germania, the Roman writer Tacitus locates the Langobards in western Central Europe, on the right bank of the Elbe (supporting Strabo's view). Accounted as being part of the Suevi confederation, they occupy territory immediately south of the Saxons (with the Angles to the north-east), and with the Frisians on their western flank. The neighbouring Cherusci are located further south. Their numbers are few in relation to their bigger neighbours but they maintain their independence with an attitude of warfare over submission.

c.150

Ptolemy, who writes in the mid-second century, places the Langobards back on the left bank of the Elbe, between the Chauci and the Suevi. He also has a group of them, the Suebic Langobards, occupying territory to the north of the Sicambri in the Rhineland. This seems to suggest either that they have expanded or that a smaller splinter group has migrated westwards.

c.160

According to Cassius Dio, just before the Marcomannic Wars that begin in 166, a host of 6,000 Langobards and Ubii cross the Danube and invade Pannonia. The two tribes are defeated by Rome and halt their attacks. They send Ballomar, king of the Marcomanni, as their ambassador to Aelius Bassus, the governor of Pannonia. The two agree peace terms and the Langobards and Ubii are allowed to cross back across the Danube. The Langobards return to their territory on the lower Elbe.

c.166 - c.300

The Langobards disappear from the historical record. One theory to explain the reason involves their occupation of territory that is so deep into the interior of Inner Germania that they are obscured by the growing tribal confederations that lie closer to the Roman empire. Another is their possible subjugation by one of those newly forming tribal confederations, that of the Saxons. The latter idea is supported by an entry in the Codex Gothanus which states that the Langobards are subjugated by the Saxons around 300.

254

By this time, the Suevi have formed a wide-ranging confederation of tribes which are all known individually but which are counted as being Suevi.

The vast number of tribes included in the confederation include the Aestii, Angles, Aviones, Buri, Cotini, Eudoses, Gutones, Hermunduri (who have virtually ceased to exist as a recognisable independent people), Langobards, Lugii (a name applied to several tribes: the Harii, Helisii, Helveconae, Manimi, and Naharvali), Marcomanni, Marsigni, Naristi, Nuitones, Osi, Quadi, Reudigni, Semnones, Sitones, Suardones, Suiones (Swedes), and the Warini.

c.300 - c.375

According to the Codex Gothanus, the Langobards rise up against the Saxons under their own king, Agelmund. The reason may be the poor harvests that they suffer in the late fourth century. The Langobards begin to migrate southwards, but Ludo Moritz Hartmann suggests that they probably leave behind a sizable portion of their number, with these people being fully subsumed within the Saxon confederation and losing their name.

fl c.375 - 415?

King of the Langobards. Reigned 40 years. Killed in an ambush.

390s

The Langobards descend southwards from the Elbe and enter into Moravia.

The High Tatra Mountains in Moravia (modern Slovakia) highlights just some of the very varied landscape in the region which would have been presented to the Langobards

406 - 409

The bulk of the Suevi cross the Rhine at Mainz in 406 in association with the Vandali and Alani. After spending two years ravaging Gaul and migrating southwards into Aquitaine, all three tribes are pushed out by the Visigoths and cross the Pyrenees to settle in Roman Iberia by 409, disrupting the Gallic empire of Constantine III. Some Suevi groups, including the Alemanni, remain behind on the Rhine, with some of them becoming part of the Frankish confederation.

c.415?

Continuing to wander, the Langobards enter 'Vurgundaib'. This is believed to be the original lands of the Burgundians, and can be located in the northern Carpathians. Once there, the Langobards are attacked in their encampment by 'Bulgars', probably as recruits of the Huns. They are defeated, their king is killed, and they are subjugated. However, it seems that they quickly rise up under Lamicho and inflict an unusual defeat on the Huns, although how long it takes for this to happen after their subjugation is unclear (perhaps it is not until c.440/450).

fl c.410s

Foster son. See note for c.440/450.

fl c.420 - c.460

Vassal of the Huns? Ruled for approximately 40 years.

c.425

The Langobards are to be found in Slovenia, bordering Illyria, probably having moved there as soon as they had freed themselves from the Huns. The reign of Lethu heralds the emergence of the Langobard kings into documented history by the end of the century. He is the founder of the Lething dynasty of kings which provides rulers for the tribe for over a century.

c.440/450

The Germanic Hundings or Hundingas (the 'hound clan') who are mentioned in Widsith are known for their feud with the Wulfings, a clan associated with the early Danish kings. The feud is most likely to be a conflict between the Eastern Geats and the Langobards (the hound-clan), and some scholars have suggested that Hund may be the same person as Lamicho (although the dating does not align at all). Instead, there may be a confusion between a well-known southern Scandinavian feud and a different one here which involves the Langobards and their enemies, the Vulgares (Huns). The latter are defeated about this year.

Coincidentally, perhaps, Lamicho's name also identifies itself with the 'hound clan', perhaps meaning 'little barker', and the Langobards become infamous for terrorising their enemies by claiming to have dog-headed warriors.

c.440s?

Paul the Deacon's Historia Langobardorum preserves some of the history of the Langobards before their entrance into Italy. Around this time they begin to settle north of the Danube, where they successfully defend their independence against the Huns (when the latter are at the height of their power).

454

The fall of the Huns allows the Heruli to rise up and free themselves. They set up a strong Roman foederati kingdom of their own in southern Moravia, from where they subdue all their neighbours, including the Langobards, turning them into vassals.

fl c.470s

Vassal of the Heruli.

fl c.480s

Vassal of the Heruli.

487 - 488

Gudeoc rules the Langobards at the time when Romano-German general and emperor, Odoacer, destroys the Germanic Rugii, who had formerly been subjugated by the Huns. The Langobards migrate into the former Rugii territory, in modern Lower Austria, north of the Danube, and west of Korneuburg, to fill this vacuum. The area is part of the westernmost areas of Pannonia. The move may also be a way of removing themselves from Heruli dominance, and comes at an ideal time, as the Ostrogoths are themselves migrating into Italy for create a kingdom of their own. The Langobards clearly take note of this last event.

fl c.500

Vassal of the Heruli.

fl c.500? - 510

Son. First king to be independently attested. Murdered.

508

The Heruli kingdom in southern Moravia is destroyed by Tato, ending the problem of the inconvenient Heruli overlordship of the Langobards. Herulian fortunes wane after this disaster. Some remaining Heruls join the Langobards in Lower Austria. Tato himself is soon murdered by Wacho, son of Unichus. Ildichus fights on his father's side and is forced to flee to the Gepids, where he dies.

c.510

Son. Died in exile, unable to claim the kingship.

fl c.510 - c.540

Son of Unichus.

530s

After one generation, the minor federate Heruli kingdom in Singidunum (modern Belgrade) disappears from the historical record. These 'South Heruli' merge into surrounding populations or unite with the Langobards.

c.540

The restless Langobards apparently enter further into Pannonia, to their immediate east, and perhaps also into Dacia to the east of that.

An artist's impression of mixed Langobard infantry and cavalry in action, exhibiting Late Roman and Germanic features in their dress and weapons

c.540 - 546

Infant son. Last of the Lething clan of kings.

c.540 - 546

Regent.

546

Procopius says the young Waltari dies of disease, but it is equally possible that Audoin kills him before he reaches maturity and dispenses with the services of a regent.

546 - c.565

First of the Gausian kings.

550s - 560s

Under Audoin, the Langobards cross the Danube to re-enter Pannonia. Once there, they are granted subsidies by the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I, who encourages them to fight the Gepids who have established a large kingdom in Dacia. In effect, they are being hired as foederati, mercenaries, a role they fulfil to perfection. The Gepid kingdom is destroyed by 567. Alboin forcibly marries Rosamund, the daughter of the Gepid king.

c.565 - 568

Son. Led the Langobards into Italy to form a kingdom.

568

The death of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I in 565 ends a period of strong rule in Italy. The advent of the Avars in south-eastern Europe triggers a wave of migration which sees the remnants of the Gepids join the Langobards. Both groups enter northern Italy along with various flotsam and jetsam.

It also permanently ends Germanic dominance in Pannonia. Following the Langobard migration southwards, a new confederation, the Bavarii, forms in their place to the north of the Danube, in modern south-eastern Germany. The Langobards and their allies quickly form a 'North Italian Kingdom'.