Wikipedia

Aegidius

For other people named Aegidius, seeAegidius (given name).

Aegidius(died 464 or 465) was the ruler of the short-livedKingdom of Soissonsfrom 461 to 464/465. Before his ascension he was an ardent supporter of theWestern RomanemperorMajorian,who appointed himmagister militum per Gallias( "Master of the Soldiers for Gaul" ) in 458. After the generalRicimerassassinated Majorian and replaced him with EmperorLibius Severus,Aegidius rebelled and began governing his Gallic territory as an independent kingdom. He may have pledged his allegiance to theEastern RomanemperorLeo I.

Aegidius
Died464/465AD
AllegianceWestern Roman Empire
Kingdom of Soissons
Service458–464/465AD
(Rome)
461–464/465AD
(Kingdom of Soissons)
RankMagister militum per Gallias
Ruler of the Kingdom of Soissons
Battles / warsBattle of Arelate
Battle of Orleans
ChildrenSyagrius

Aegidius repeatedly threatened to invade Italy and dethrone Libius Severus, but never actually launched such an invasion; historians have suggested he was unwilling to launch an invasion due to the pressure of theVisigoths,or else because it would leave Gaul exposed. Aegidius launched several campaigns against the Visigoths and theBurgundians,recapturingLyonfrom the Burgundians in 458, and routing the Visigoths at theBattle of Orleans.He died suddenly after a major victory against the Visigoths; ancient historians say that he was assassinated, but do not give the name of the assassin, whereas modern historians believe it is possible that he died a natural death.

After his death, he was succeeded by his sonSyagrius,who was the last ruler of the Kingdom of Soissons.

History

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The Kingdom of Soissons is shown as the upper green territory in France, while the lower green territory shows the Western Roman Empire.

Aegidius was born inGaul,a province of theWestern Roman Empire.It is believed that he came from the aristocraticSyagriifamily, based upon the name of his son,Syagrius.While this evidence is not absolute, modern historians consider a connection to the family likely, by birth or marriage.[1]Aegidius served underAetiusduring the latter's time asmagister militum(master of soldiers) of the Western Roman Empire. He also served alongside the future emperor Majorian.

Aegidius was either a founding member of Majorian and Ricimer's faction, or else he quickly joined it,[2]wielding considerable influence with Majorian.[3]After Majorian became Western Roman emperor, Aegidius was granted the titlemagister militum per Galliasin 458 as a reward for his loyalty.[2][3]

TheRipuarian FranksconqueredCologneandTrierfrom the Romansc.457, and Aegidius was besieged inArlesby the Visigoths under KingTheodoric IIfor a time in 457/458,[4]before Majorian defeated him.[5]In the same year, Aegidius led troops at theBattle of Arelateagainst the Visigoths,[6]where he is credited by ancient sources as being the primary cause for Theodoric II's defeat.

As a result of the battle, Theodoric II was forced to return Visigoth territory inHispaniato the Western Roman Empire and submit again to being aRoman vassal.[7][8]Aegidius also recaptured Lyons from theBurgundiansin 458.[9]

After Ricimer assassinated Emperor Majorian in 461 and replaced him withLibius Severus,Aegidius refused to recognize the new emperor.[10]Libius Severus was not recognized by the Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I, who was considered the senior emperor. Aegidius may have pledged his allegiance directly to Leo I in order to legitimize his independence from the Western Roman Empire, and his retention of the Gallic legions.[11]

Aegidius repeatedly threatened to invadeItaly;however, he never did so. Modern historian Penny MacGeorge has suggested that this was due to pressure from the Visigoths, whereas others assert that he was unable or unwilling to march to Italy, leaving Gaul exposed.[12]

Around this time war had broken out Aegidius' lands and the Visigoths, over borders, and Aegidius was said byPriscusto have distinguished himself in the fighting.[3]It is known that during this time, Ricimer cededLyonsto the Burgundians, andNarbonneand most ofNarbonensis Primato the Visigoths, in exchange for alliances.[13]Ricimer probably appointed a replacement for Aegidius, despite the fact that Aegidius retained most or all of his Gallic forces. The two people most likely to have been given the title ofmagister militum per Gallias(master of soldiers in Gaul) were the Roman generalAgrippinus,whom Aegidius had previously accused of treason, or the Burgundian KingGundioc,who was Ricimer's brother-in-law.[3][14]Around this time Aegidius sent embassies to theVandalkingGaiseric,probably in an effort to form an alliance to oppose Ricimer.[15]

According to a story known toGregory of Toursand theChronicle of Fredegar,the Frankish KingChilderic I,who controlled much of northern Gaul, was exiled at some point after 457, and theFranksthen elected Aegidius to rule them. The ancient sources go on to say that Aegidius ruled them for eight years before Childeric was recalled and reinstated as king. This story is considered fictional by most modern historians.[16][3]Another narrative given by primary sources is that Childeric formed an alliance with Aegidius, although this has slim historical evidence, and is directly opposed by archeological evidence, which supports the theory of the Kingdom of Soissons, the historiographic name given to territory ruled by Aegidius and his son Syagrius, containing the expansion of the Franks.[17]Ernst Steinsuggests that the Franks may have placed themselves under Roman rule in the absence of Childeric.[3][18]Michael Kulikowskiposits that hiscomitatenses(armies) were so heavily Frankish at this point, that he could fairly be remembered as a king, rather than general.[19]

Aegidius repulsed an invasion by the Visigoths in 463, routing them at theBattle of Orleans.[20]In this battle, Aegidius' forces killed the Visigoth generalFrederic,who was the brother of Theodoric. Some sources say that Aegidius' forces were bolstered by Frankish forces.[21][22][23]Aegidius also won a minor engagement against the Visigoths nearChinon,at an unknown date.[24]Despite these victories, he did not take the offensive against the Visigothic position inAquitaine,possibly due to lack of resources,[25]or due to threats fromcomes(count)Paulus,Gundioc, and the Western Roman generalsArbogastand Agrippinus.[26]He sent a diplomatic party to the Visigoths in May 464, which would not return until September of that year.[3]

Aegidius is recorded to have died suddenly, in autumn of 465.[a][27][3]Sources of the time report that he was either ambushed or poisoned, but do not mention a perpetrator. Most modern historians consider it possible that he died a natural death, although some, such as Kulikowski, challenge this. After his death, he was succeeded by his son Syagrius.[3][28][19]Syagrius is reported to have moved his seat of government toSoissons,which would later give Aegidius and Syagrius' breakaway government the historiographic name of the Kingdom of Soissons.[29]The Franks defeated Syagrius and captured Soissons in the 480s.[30]

Historiography

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Aegidius was referred to by numerous titles in primary sources, many of which were contradictory. In theHistoria Francorumby Gregory of Tours, he is twice calledmagister militum(Master of Soldiers), although Gregory describes him as being electedrex(king) of the Franks. Even more confusingly, Gregory does not give him any title while mentioning his death. TheLiber Historiae Francorumrefers to him initially asrex,but later twice calls himprincipem Romanorum(the Roman emperor). In the 'A' version of theLiber Historiae Francorum,he is calledRomanorum rex(King of the Romans) at the time of his death, while the 'B' version calls himRomanorum tirannus(Roman tyrant), implying that he was a usurper.[31]TheChronicle of Fredegarcalls himcomes(count). Based on the two references from theLiber Historiae Francorumwhich refer to him as emperor, and the occasional usage of the title ofrexto refer to an emperor, some have asserted that he was in fact an emperor, although this is based upon shaky evidence, and is considered very unlikely by most historians.[32]Modern historians give three possibilities for his actual status: The first possibility is that he declared himself king, and was called such by both his own kingdom and external barbarians.[33]The second is that he was never called king within his own lifetime, but later folk or epic traditions gave him the title. The third is that he was referred to by a Roman title by his subjects, but calledrexby barbarians, as it was analogous to the titles of their own rulers.[34]

Information regarding his place of birth and his son comes from Gregory of Tours, theChronicle of Fredegar,and theLiber Historiae Francorum.[35]His service with Majorian under Aetius is related by Priscus, who also mentions his subsequent influence with Majorian as emperor. His elevation tomagister militum per Galliasis given by Gregory andHydatius.The loss of Cologne and Trier is provided by theLiber Historiae Francorum,and his encirclement in Arles byPaulinus of Périgueux'sLife of St. Martinand Gregory. His accusation of treason against Agrippinus, whom he accused of surrendering the empire to barbarians, is known from theVita Lupicini,which calls the claim maliciously false. Priscus also states Aegidius' refusal to recognize Libius Severus, and his threats to invade Italy, and he and Gregory speak to the conflict between Aegidius and the Visigoths. His continued dispute with Agrippinus and the Battle of Orleans is granted by Hydatius,Marius Aventicensis,and Gregory. The envoy he sent to the Visigoths is spoken of by Hydatius alone.[3]Hydatius and Gregory both give the narrative of his death, and Gregory relates that he had invoked the help of St.Martin of Tourswhile in danger. Paulinus praises his bravery, character, and piety.[36]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^Some sources give late 464.[27]

Primary sources

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Citations

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  1. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 99.
  2. ^abMacGeorge 2002,p. 100.
  3. ^abcdefghijJones, Martindale & Morris 1980,p. 12.
  4. ^Jones, Martindale & Morris 1980,pp. 12 & 1072.
  5. ^Jones, Martindale & Morris 1980,p. 1072.
  6. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 101.
  7. ^Bunson 1994,p. 6.
  8. ^Anderson 2012,p. 110.
  9. ^Mitchell 2007,p. 208.
  10. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 14.
  11. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 114.
  12. ^MacGeorge 2002,pp. 114–115.
  13. ^Anderson 2012,p. xxv.
  14. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 111.
  15. ^MacGeorge 2002,pp. 66 & 111.
  16. ^MacGeorge 2002,pp. 111–125.
  17. ^MacGeorge 2002,pp. 126 & 134.
  18. ^Stein 1959,p. 378.
  19. ^abKulikowski 2019,p. 278.
  20. ^MacGeorge 2002,pp. 65, 94, & 115.
  21. ^MacGeorge 2002,pp. 94 & 115.
  22. ^Kulikowski 2002,p. 180.
  23. ^Mitchell 2007,p. 119.
  24. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 115.
  25. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 117.
  26. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 118.
  27. ^abMacGeorge 2002,p. 65 & 120.
  28. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 125.
  29. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 126.
  30. ^Mitchell 2007,p. 211.
  31. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 151.
  32. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 152.
  33. ^MacGeorge 2002,pp. 152–153.
  34. ^MacGeorge 2002,p. 153.
  35. ^Jones, Martindale & Morris 1980,p. 11.
  36. ^Jones, Martindale & Morris 1980,p. 13.

Bibliography

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  • Anderson, W.B. (2012) [1936].Sidonius: Poems and Letters, Vol. I: Poems, Letters, Book I-II.Cambridge: Harvard University Press.ISBN978-0-674-99327-3.
  • Bunson, Matthew (1994).Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire.New York: Facts on File.ISBN978-0-816-02135-2.
  • Jones, Arnold Hugh Martin;Martindale, J. R.;Morris, J.(1980).The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire: Volume 2, AD 395–527.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.ISBN978-0-521-20159-9.
  • Kulikowski, Michael(2019).The Tragedy of Empire: From Constantine to the Destruction of Roman Italy.Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.doi:10.4159/9780674242708.ISBN978-0-674-24270-8.S2CID213445912.
  • Kulikowski, Michael (2002). "Marcellinus 'of Dalmatia' and the Dissolution of the Fifth-Century Empire".Byzantion.72(1): 177–191.JSTOR44172752.
  • MacGeorge, Penny (2002).Late Roman Warlords.Oxford: Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-199-25244-2.
  • Mitchell, Stephen (2007).A History of the Later Roman Empire.Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.ISBN978-1-4051-0856-0.
  • Stein, Ernst(1959).Histoire du Bas-Empire: Volume 1.Paris, France: Desclée de Brouwer.OCLC6752757.
Regnal titles
Preceded by
None
 Ruler of theKingdom of Soissons
461–464/465AD 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Magister militumofGaul
458–464/465AD 		Succeeded by
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