From The History of the Langobards by Paul the Deacon, translated by William Dudley Foulke, LL. D.; The Department of History, University of Pennsylvania; New York: Longman, Green & Co., 1906; pp. 209-249.
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When therefore Grimuald had been confirmed in the sovereignty1 at Ticinum, he married not long afterward king Aripert’s daughter who had already been betrothed to him and whose brother Godepert he had killed. He sent back indeed to their own homes, supplied with many gifts, the army of Beneventines by whose aid he had acquired the sovereignty. He kept however quite a number of them to dwell with him, bestowing up them very extensive possessions.
1 A. D. 662 (Waitz). Grimuald, whose brothers, Taso and Cacco, had been treacherously murdered by the exarch in Oderzo, represented the national, anti-Roman sentiment of his people and was continually engaged in wars against the empire.
When he afterwards learned that Perctarit had gone to Scythia as an exile and was living with the Cagan, he sent word to this Cagan, king of the Avars, by ambassadors that if he kept Perctarit in his kingdom he could not thereafter have peace, as he had had hitherto, with the Langobards and with himself. When the king of the Avars heard this, Perctarit was brought into his presence and he said to him that he might go in what direction he would, so that the Avars should not incur enmity with the Langobards on his account.2 When Perctarit 210 heard these things he went back to Italy to return to Grimuald for he had heard that he was very merciful. Then when he had come to the city of Lauda3 (Lodi Vecchio) he sent ahead of him to king Grimuald, Unulf, a man most faithful to him to announce that Perctarit was approaching trusting to his protection. When the king heard this he promised faithfully that since Perctarit came trusting him he should suffer no harm. Meanwhile Perctarit arrived and went forward to Grimuald, and when he attempted to fall down at his feet, the king graciously held him back and raised him up to receive his kiss. Perctarit said to him: “I am your servant. Knowing you to be most Christian and pious, although I can live among the heathen, yet relying upon your mercy I have come to your feet.” And the king with an oath, as he was wont, promised him again saying: “By Him who caused me to be born, since you have come to me trusting me, you will suffer nothing evil in any way but I will so provide for you that you can live becomingly.” Then offering him a lodging in a spacious house, he bade him have a rest after the toil of the journey, ordering that food and whatever things were necessary should be supplied to him bountifully at public expense. But when Perctarit had come to the dwelling prepared for him by the king, presently throngs of the citizens of Ticinum began to 211 gather around him to see him and salute him as an old acquaintance. But what cannot an evil tongue interrupt? For presently certain wicked flatterers coming to the king declared to him that unless he quickly deprived Perctarit of life, he would himself at once lose his kingdom with his life, asserting that the whole city had gathered around Perctarit for this purpose. When he heard these things, Grimuald became too credulous and forgetting what he had promised, he was straightway incited to the murder of the innocent Perctarit and took counsel in what way he might deprive him of life on the following day, since now the hour was very late. Finally in the evening he sent to him divers dishes, also special wines and various kinds of drinks so that he could intoxicate him, to the end that relaxed by much drinking during the night and buried in wine, he could think nothing of his safety. Then one who had been of his father’s train, when he brought him a dish from the king to this Perctarit, put his head under the table as if to salute him and announced to him secretly that the king was arranging to kill him. And Perctarit straightway directed his cup-bearer that he should give him to drink in a silver drinking vessel nothing but a little water. And when those who brought him drinks of different kinds from the king asked him upon the command of the king to drink the whole cup, he promised to drink it all in honor of the king, and took a little water from the silver cup. When the servants announced to the king that he was drinking insatiably, the king merrily answered: “Let that drunkard drink; but to-morrow he will spill out the same wines mixed with 212 blood.” And Perctarit quickly called Unulf to him and announced to him the design of the king concerning his death. And Unulf straightway sent a servant to his house to bring him bed clothing4 and ordered his couch to be put next to the couch of Perctarit. Without delay king Grimuald directed his attendants that they should guard the house in which Perctarit was reposing so that he could not escape in any way. And when supper was finished and all had departed and Perctarit only had remained with Unulf and Perctarit’s valet,5 who in any case were entirely faithful to him, they disclosed their plan to him and begged him to flee while the valet would pretend as long as possible that his master was sleeping within that bed-chamber. And when he had promised to do this, Unulf put his own bed clothes and a mattress and a bear’s skin upon the back and neck of Perctarit and began to drive him out of the door according to the plan, as if he were a slave from the country, offering him many insults, and did not cease moreover to strike him with a cudgel from above and urge him on, so that driven and struck he often fell to the ground. And when the attendants of the king who had been put on guard asked that same Unulf why this was, “That worthless slave,” he says, “has put my bed in the chamber of that drunken Perctarit who is so full of wine that he lies there as if he were dead. But it is enough that I have followed his 213 madness up to the present time. From now on, during the life of our lord the king, I will stay in my own house.” When they heard these things and believed what they heard to be true, they were delighted, and making way for the two, they let pass both him and Perctarit, whom they thought was a slave and who had his head covered that he should not be recognized And while they were going away, that most faithful valet bolted the door carefully and remained inside alone. Unulf indeed let Perctarit down by a rope from the wall at a corner which is on the side of the river Ticinum (Ticino) and collected what companions he could, and they, having seized some horses they had found in a pasture, proceeded that same night to the city of Asta (Asti) in which the friends of Perctarit were staying, and those who were still rebels against Grimuald. Thence Perctarit made his way as quickly as possible to the city of Turin, and afterwards passed across the boundaries of Italy and came to the country of the Franks. Thus God Almighty by His merciful arrangement delivered an innocent man from death and kept from offense a king who desired in his heart to do good.
2 According to another account Perctarit testified to the good faith of the Cagan who had refused a whole modius full of gold solidi for his betrayal (Waitz).
3 The ancient Roman colony Laus Pompeia, a short distance southeast of Milan and northeast of Padua.
4 According to Du Cange lectisternia means the trappings of a bed, cushions, bolster, etc.
5 Vestiarius, he who has charge of one’s clothing (Du Cange).
But king Grimuald, indeed, since he thought that Perctarit was sleeping in his lodging, caused a line of men to stand by on either side from this place of entertainment up to his palace, so that Perctarit might be led through the midst of them in order that he could not at all escape. And when those sent by the king had come and called Perctarit to the palace, and 214 knocked at the door where they thought he was sleeping, the valet who was inside begged them saying: “Have pity with him and let him sleep a little because he is still wearied by his journey and oppressed by very heavy slumber.” And when they had acquiesced, they announced this thing to the king, that Perctarit was sleeping up to this time in a heavy slumber. Then the king said; “Last evening he so filled himself with wine that now he cannot awaken.” He ordered them, however, to arouse him at once and bring him to the palace. And when they came to the door of the bed-room in which they believed Perctarit was sleeping, they began to knock more sharply. Then the valet began to beg them again that they would let this Perctarit still, as it were, sleep a little. And they cried out in rage that that drunken man had already slept enough. Straightway they broke open the door of the bed-chamber with their heels, entered, and looked for Perctarit in the bed. And when they did not find him, they supposed he was sitting down to the requirements of nature, and when they did not find him there, they asked that valet what had become of Perctarit. And he answered them that he had fled. Furious with rage they beat him, and seized him by the hair and straightway dragged him to the palace. And conducting him into the presence of the king they said that he was privy to the flight of Perctarit and therefore most deserving of death. The king directed him to be released and asked him in due order in what way Perctarit had escaped and he related to the king all the occurrences as they had taken place. Then the king asked those who were 215 standing around and said: “What do you think of this man who has committed such things?” Then all answered with one voice that he deserved to die, racked with many torments, but the king said: “By Him who caused me to be born this man deserves to be treated6 well, who for the sake of fidelity to his master did not refuse to give himself up to death.” And presently, he ordered that he should be among his own valets enjoining him to observe toward himself the same fidelity he had kept to Perctarit and promising to bestow upon him many advantages. And when the king asked what had become of Unulf, it was announced that he had had taken refuge in the church of the Blessed Archangel Michael. And he presently sent to him voluntarily promising that he should suffer no harm if he would only come and trust him. Unulf indeed, hearing this promise of the king, presently came to the palace and having fallen at the king’s feet, was asked by him how and what way Perctarit had been able to escape. But when he had told him everything in order, the king, praising his fidelity and prudence, graciously conceded to him all his means7 and whatever he had been able to possess.
6 Read haberi for habere.
7 Ejus facultates. There is doubt whether this refers to the property of Unulf or of Perctarit (Hodgkin, VI, 251, note 1).
And when after some time the king asked Unulf whether he would then like to be with Perctarit, he answered with an oath that he would rather die with 216 Perctarit than live anywhere else in the greatest enjoyment. Then the king also called for that valet, asking him whether he would prefer to stay with him in the palace or to end his life wandering with Perctarit, and when he had given a like answer with Unulf, the king took their words kindly, praised their fidelity and directed Unulf to take from his house whatever he wanted, namely, his servants and his horses and furniture of all kinds and to proceed without harm to Perctarit. And in like manner also he dismissed that valet, and they, taking away all their goods, as much as they needed, according to the kindness of the king, set out with the help of the king himself into the country of the Franks to their beloved Perctarit.
At this time an army of the Franks, coming forth from Provincia (Provence), entered into Italy. Grimuald advanced against them with the Langobards and deceived them by this stratagem: he pretended indeed to flee from their attack and left his camp with his tents quite clear of men but filled with divers good things and especially with an abundance of excellent wine. When the troops of the Franks had come thither, thinking that Grimuald with the Langobards had been terrified by fear and had abandoned their whole camp, they straightway became merry and eagerly took possession of everything and prepared a very bountiful supper. And while they reposed, weighed down with the various dishes and which much wine and sleep, Grimuald rushed upon them after midnight and overthrew them with so 217 great a slaughter that only a few of them escaped and were able with difficulty to regain their native country. The place where this battle was fought is called up to this time the Brook of the Franks8 (Rivoli)9 and it is not far distant from the walls of the little city of Asta (Asti).
8 Rivus Francorum.
9 Not the same as the scene of Napoleon’s victory.
In these days the emperor Constantine who was also called Constans,10 desiring to pluck Italy out of the hand 218 of the Langobards, left Constantinople11 and taking his way along the coast, came to Athens, and from there, having crossed the sea, he landed at Tarentum12 Previously, however, he went to a certain hermit who was said to have the spirit of prophecy, and sought eagerly to know from him whether he could overcome and conquer the nation of the Langobards which was dwelling in Italy. The servant of God had asked him for the space of one night that he might supplicate the Lord for this thing, and when morning came he thus answered 219 the emperor: “The people of the Langobards cannot be overcome in any way, because a certain queen coming from another province has built the church of St. John the Baptist in the territories of the Langobards, and for this reason St. John himself continually intercedes for the nation of the Langobards. But a time shall come when this sanctuary will be held in contempt and then the nation itself shall perish.” We have proved that this has so occurred, since we have seen that before the fall of the Langobards, this same church of St. John which was established in the place called Modicia (Monza) was managed by vile persons so that this holy spot was bestowed upon the unworthy and adulterous, not for the merit of their lives, but in the giving of spoils.
10 Constans II, or more correctly Constantine IV, was born A. D. 631, and became emperor in 642, when only eleven years old, on the death of his father Constantine III. During his reign the Saracens conquered Armenia (Hodgkin, VI, 253) and seized Cyprus and Rhodes. He fought in person a naval battle with them off the coast of Lycia in 655 and was defeated. In his reign the doctrine of the Monotheletes or those who maintained that there was only one will in the nature of the Saviour, agitated the empire, and popes and patriarchs wrangled bitterly upon the subject. His grandfather Heraclius had declared in favor of the Monothelete heresy, even pope Honorius (Hartmann, II, 1, 217) at one time acquiesced in it though he deprecated the strife and desired the church to abide by its ancient formulas. Finally, Constans in 648 when only seventeen years of age issued his Type, forbidding controversy upon both sides. Pope Martin I, whose appointment lacked the confirmation of the emperor and who was regarded by the latter as a usurper, convened in 649, a council in the Lateran Palace and anathematized the Type and its defenders (Hodgkin, VI, 255, 256). Constans regarded these proceedings as acts of rebellion and sent his chamberlain Olympius as exarch to Italy in 649 with directions to secure the acceptance of the Type and if possible to bring pope Martin a prisoner to Constantinople; but the exarch found public opinion and the disposition of the army so adverse that he was compelled to renounce the project, and soon afterwards became the ally of the Pope and the Italians (Hartmann, II, 1, 227), and with their support assumed independent authority and led an army in Sicily against the Saracens where he died in 652 (id., p 228). These acts were naturally regarded as an insurrection against the empire, and upon his death Constans sent Calliopas to Italy as exarch, who in June, 653, coming to Rome with the army from Ravenna, seized the Pope, who had taken refuge in the Lateran basilica, declared his deposition and sent him as a prisoner to Constantinople, where he arrived after long delays, was tried for treason, insulted, forced to stand as a public spectacle in the Hippodrome, was loaded with irons, immured in a dungeon and sentenced to death, but this was commuted to banishment in the Crimea. There he languished and died in 655 (Hodgkin, VI, 259-268). He was succeeded by Eugenius (A. D. 657) who was chosen Pope while Martin was still alive and Eugenius was followed by Vitalian (A. D. 657-672), who lived on terms of accommodation with the emperor, although there is no evidence that he abjured the doctrines of his predecessors (Hartmann, II, 1, 232, 233). It was under Vitalian that Constans’ visit to Italy described in this chapter occurred.
11 A. D. 662 (Hodgkin, VI, 270).
12 A. D. 663 (Hodgkin, VI, 271).
Therefore after the emperor Constans, as we said, had come to Tarentum, he departed therefrom and invaded the territories of the Beneventines and took almost all the cities of the Langobards through which he passed. He also attacked bravely and took by storm Luceria, a rich city of Apulia, destroyed it and leveled it to the ground. Agerentia13 (Acerenza), however, he could not at all take on account of the highly fortified position of the place. Thereupon he surrounded Beneventum with all his army and began to reduce it energetically. At that time Romuald, the son of Grimuald, still a young man, held the dukedom there and as soon 220 as he learned of the approach of the emperor, he sent his tutor, Sesuald by name, to his father Grimuald on the other side of the Padus (Po) begging him to come as soon as possible and strongly reinforce his son and the Beneventines whom he himself had reared. When king Grimuald heard this he straightway started to go with an army to Beneventum to bring aid to his son. Many of the Langobards left him on the way and returned home saying that he had despoiled the palace and was now going back to Beneventum not to return. Meanwhile the army of the emperor was assaulting Beneventum vigorously with various machines of war and on the other hand Romuald with his Langobards was resisting bravely, and although he did not dare to engage hand to hand with so great a multitude on account of the smallness of his army, yet frequently dashing into the camp of the enemy with young men sent out for that purpose, he inflicted upon them great slaughter upon every side. And while Grimuald his father was now hastening on, he sent to his son to announce his approach, that same tutor of his of whom we have spoken. And when the latter had come near Beneventum he was captured by the Greeks and brought to the emperor, who asked of him whence he had come, and he said he had come from King Grimuald and he announced the speedy approach of that king. Straightway the emperor, greatly alarmed, took counsel with his followers in what way he could make a treaty with Romuald so as to return to Naples.
13 A fortress on one of the outlying buttresses of Monte Vulture (Hodgkin, VI, 273).
After he had taken as a hostage the sister of Romuald whose name was Gisa, he made peace with him. He ordered the tutor Sesuald indeed to be led to the walls, threatening death to him if he should announce anything to Romuald or the people of the city concerning the approach of Grimuald, and (demanding) that he should rather declare that the king could not come. He promised that he would do this, as was enjoined upon him, but when he had come near the walls he said he wanted to see Romuald. And when Romuald had quickly come thither he thus spoke to him: “Be steadfast, master Romuald, have confidence and do not be disturbed since your father will quickly come to give you aid. For know that he is stopping this night near the river Sangrus (Sangro)14 with a strong army. Only I beseech you to have pity on my wife and children since this faithless race will not suffer me to live.” When he had said this, his head was cut off by command of the emperor and thrown into the city by an instrument of war which they call a stone-thrower.15 This head Romuald ordered brought to him and kissed it weeping and commanded that it should be buried in a suitable casket.16
14 In the present province of Abruzzi (Waitz), about fifty miles from Benevento.
15 Petraria.
16 All this as well as the two following chapters, seems inconsistent with the peace with Romuald mentioned in the first sentence of this chapter. Waitz suggests that possibly the peace was made after the incidents concerning Sesuald. — Possibly Paul combined in his history accounts taken from two contradictory sources.
Then the emperor, fearing the sudden approach of king Grimuald, broke up the siege of Beneventum and set out for Neapolis (Naples). Mitola, however, the Count of Capua, forcibly defeated his army near the river Calor (Calore), in the place which up to the present time is called Pugna (the fight).17
17 The Calore flows a little east of Benevento. Camillus Peregrinius believes that the river Sabatus (Sabate) is intended, which flows close to Beneventum, and near which Peter the Deacon recognises this place called Pugna (Waitz).
After the emperor came to Naples it is said that one of his chief men, whose name was Saburrus, asked for twenty thousand soldiers from his sovereign, and pledged himself to fight against Romuald, and win the victory. And when he had received the troops and had come to a place whose name is Forinus (Forino)18 and had set up his camp there, Grimuald, who had already come to Beneventum, when he heard these things, wanted to set out against him. His son Romuald said to him: “There is no need, but do you turn over to me only a part of your army. With God’s favor I will fight with him, and when I shall have conquered him a greater glory, indeed, will be ascribed to your power.” It was done, and when he had received some part of his father’s army, he set out with his own men likewise against Saburrus. Before he began the 223 battle with him he ordered the trumpets to sound on four sides, and immediately he rushed daringly upon them. And while both lines were fighting with great obstinacy, a man from the king’s army named Amalong, who had been accustomed to carry the royal pike, taking this pike in both hands struck violently with it a certain little Greek and lifted him from the saddle on which he was riding and raised him in the air over his head. When the army of the Greeks saw this, it was terrified by boundless fear and at once betook itself to flight, and overwhelmed with the utmost disaster, in fleeing it brought death upon itself and victory to Romuald and the Langobards. Thus Saburrus, who had promised that he would achieve for his emperor a trophy of victory from the Langobards, returned to him with a few men only and came off with disgrace; but Romuald, when the victory was obtained from the enemy, returned in triumph to Beneventum and brought joy to his father and safety to all, now that the fear of the enemy was taken away.
18 Between Avellino and Nocera (Waitz), about twenty-five miles east of Naples.
But the emperor Constans, when he found that he could accomplish nothing against the Langobards, directed all the threats of his cruelty against his own followers, that is, the Romans. He left Naples and proceeded to Rome.19 At the sixth mile-stone from the city, pope Vitalian came to meet him with his priests 224 and the Roman people.20 And when the emperor had come to the threshold of St. Peter he offered there a pallium woven with gold; and remaining at Rome twelve days he pulled down everything that in ancient times had been made of metal for the ornament of the city, to such an extent that he even stripped off the roof of the church of the blessed Mary which at one time was called the Pantheon, and had been founded in honor of all the gods, and was now by the consent of the former rulers the place of all the martyrs; and he took away from there the bronze tiles and sent them with all the other ornaments to Constantinople. Then the emperor returned to Naples, and proceeded by the land route to the city of Regium (Reggio); and having entered Sicily21 during the seventh indiction22 he dwelt in Syracuse and put such afflictions upon the people — the inhabitants and land owners of Calabria, Sicily, Africa, and Sardinia — as was never heard of before, so that even wives were separated from their husbands and children from their parents.23 The people of those regions also endured many other and unheard of things so that the hope of life did not remain to any one. For even the sacred vessels and the treasures of the holy churches of 225 God were carried away by the imperial command and by the avarice of the Greeks. And the emperor remained in Sicily from the seventh to the twelfth24 indiction,25 but at last he suffered the punishment of such great iniquities and while he was in the bath he was put to death by his own servants.26
19 July 5, 663. No emperor had visited Rome for nearly two centuries (Hodgkin VI, 276).
20 The relations between the emperor Constans and the popes had been decidedly strained on account of the Monothelete controversy (see note to Chap. 6, supra).
21 His purpose was to use Sicily as a base of operations against the Saracens in Africa (Hodgkin, VI, 280).
22 Commencing September, 663.
23 Sold into slavery to satisfy the demands of the tax gatherers (Hodgkin, VI, 280).
24 An error. This should be eleventh indiction. He was killed July 15, 668 (Hodgkin, VI, 281, note 2).
25 In Sicily he decreed the independence of the bishopric of Ravenna from that of Rome, thus attempting to create two heads of the church in Italy, a severe blow to the papacy (Hartmann, II, 1, 250, 251), a measure which, however, was revoked after his death.
26 His valet Andreas struck him with a soap box (Hodgkin, VI, 281).
When the emperor Constantine was killed at Syracuse, Mecetius (Mezezius) seized the sovereignty in Sicily, but without the consent of the army of the East27 The soldiers of Italy, others throughout Istria, others through the territories of Campania and others from the regions of Africa and Sardinia came to Syracuse against him and deprived him of life. And many of his judges were brought to Constantinople beheaded and with them in like manner the head of the false emperor was also carried off.
27 Paul seems to have misunderstood the Liber Pontificalis (Adeodatus) from which he took this passage, which reads: “Mezezius who was in Sicily with the army of the East, rebelled and seized the sovereignty.”
The nation of the Saracens that had already spread through Alexandria and Egypt, hearing these things, came suddenly with many ships, invaded Sicily, entered Syracuse and made a great slaughter of the people — few only escaping with difficulty who had fled to the strongest fortresses and the mountain ranges — and they carried off also great booty and all that art work in brass and different materials which the emperor Constantine had taken away from Rome; and thus they returned to Alexandria.
Moreover the daughter of the king, who we said had been carried away from Beneventum as a hostage28 came to Sicily and ended her last days.
At this time there were such great rain storms and such thunders as no man had remembered before, so that countless thousands of men and animals were killed by strokes of lightning. In this year the pulse which could not be gathered on account of the rains grew again and was brought to maturity.29
29 These events are placed by the Liber Pontificalis in the year of the death of Pope Adeodatus (672) (Jacobi, 54, 55).
But king Grimuald indeed, when the Beneventines and their provinces had been delivered from the Greeks, 227 determined to return to his palace at Ticinum, and to Transamund, who had formerly been count of Capua and had served him most actively in acquiring the kingdom, he gave his daughter, another sister of Romuald in marriage, and made him duke of Spoletium (Spoleto) after Atto of whom we have spoken above.30 Then he returned to Ticinum.
When indeed Grasulf, duke of the Friulans died, as we mentioned before, Ago was appointed his successor in the dukedom;31 and from his name a certain house situated within Forum Julii (Cividale) is called Ago’s House up to this day. When this Ago had died, Lupus was made commander of the Friulans.32 This Lupus entered into the island of Gradus (Grado) which is not far from Aquileia, with an army of horsemen over a stone highway which had been made in old times through the sea, and having plundered that city, he removed from thence and carried back the treasures of the church of Aquileia. When Grimuald set out for Beneventum, he intrusted his palace to Lupus.
31 The date is uncertain. De Rubeis says 661, Hodgkin thinks about 645 (VI, 285).
32 A. D. 663 according to De Rubeis, about 660 according to Hodgkin (VI, 285).
Since this Lupus had acted very insolently at Ticinum 228 in the king’s absence,33 because he did not think he would return, when the king did come back, Lupus, knowing that the things he had not done rightly were displeasing to him, repaired to Forum Julii and, conscious of his own wickedness, rebelled against this king.
33 That is when he went to the relief of Romuald who was besieged at Benevento by Constans.
Then Grimuald, unwilling to stir up civil war among the Langobards, sent word to the Cagan, king of the Avars, to come into Forum Julii with his army against duke Lupus and defeat him in war. And this was done. For the Cagan came with a great army, and in the place which is called Flovius,34 as the older men who were in that war have related to us, during three days duke Lupus with the Friulans fought against the Cagan’s army. On the first day indeed he defeated that strong army, very few of his own men being wounded; on the second day he killed in like manner many of the Avars, but a number of his own were now wounded and dead; on the third day very many of his own were wounded or killed, nevertheless he destroyed a great army of the Cagan and took abundant booty; but on the fourth day they saw so great a multitude running upon them that they could scarcely escape by flight.
34 Fluvius Frigidus in the valley of Wippach in the province of Krain (Waitz) — “Cold River below the pass of the Pear Tree,” southeast of Cividale (Hodgkin, VI, 286, note 1).
When duke Lupus then had been killed there, the rest who had remained (alive) fortified themselves in strongholds. But the Avars, scouring all their territories, plundered or destroyed everything by fire. When they had done this for some days, word was sent them by Grimuald that they should now rest from their devastation. But they sent envoys to Grimuald saying that they would by no means give up Forum Julii, which they had conquered by their own arms.
Then Grimuald, compelled by necessity, began to collect an army that he might drive the Avars out of his territories. He set up therefore in the midst of the plain his camp and the place where he lodged the Avar (ambassadors), and since he had only a slender fragment of his army, he caused those he had to pass frequently during several days before the eyes of the envoys in different dress and furnished with various kinds of arms, as if a new army was constantly advancing. The ambassadors of the Avars indeed, when they saw this same army pass by, first in one way and then in another, believed that the multitude of the Langobards was immense. And Grimuald thus spoke to them: “With all this multitude of an army which you have seen I will straightway fall upon the Cagan and the Avars unless they shall quickly depart from the territories of the Friulans.” When the envoys of the Avars had seen and heard these things, and had repeated 230 them to their king, he presently returned with all his army to his own kingdom.
Finally, after Lupus was killed in this way, as we have related, Arnefrit, his son, sought to obtain the dukedom at Forum Julii in the place of his father. But fearing the power of king Grimuald, he fled into Carnuntum, which they corruptly call Carantanum (Carinthia)35 to the nation of the Slavs,36 and afterwards coming with the Slavs as if about to resume the dukedom by their means, he was killed when the Friulans attacked him at the fortress of Nemae (Nimis), which is not far distant from Forum Julii.37
35 The name given by Paul (Carnuntum), the modern Presburg, is incorrect, Carantanum was the proper name for Carinthia (Hodgkin, VI, 288, note 1).
36 These Slavs belonged to the Slovene branch of the Slav race (Hodgkin, VI, 288).
37 About 15 miles northwest of Cividale (Hodgkin, VI, 288).
Afterwards Wechtari was appointed duke at Forum Julii. He was born at the city of Vincentia (Vicenza), was a kind man, and one who ruled his people mildly. When the nation of the Slavs had heard that he had set out for Ticinum, they collected a strong multitude and determined to attack the fortress of Forum Julii, and they came and laid out their camp in the place which is called Broxas,38 not far from Forum Julii. But it happened 231 according to the Divine will that the evening before, duke Wechtari came back from Ticinum without the knowledge of the Slavs. While his companions, as is wont to happen, had gone home, he himself, hearing the tidings concerning the Slavs, advanced with a few men, that is, twenty-five, against them. When the Slavs saw him coming with so few they laughed, saying that the patriarch was advancing against them with his clergy When he had come near the bridge of the river Natisio (Natisone),39 which was where the Slavs were staying, he took his helmet from his head and showed his face to them. He was bald-headed, and when the Slavs recognized him that he was Wechtari, they were immediately alarmed and cried out that Wechtari was there, and terrified by God they thought more of flight than of battle. Then Wechtari, rushing upon them with the few men he had, overthrew them with such great slaughter that out of five thousand men a few only remained, who escaped with difficulty.40
38 Bethmann believes that a certain stronghold, Purgessimus, is meant, near the bridge hereafter referred to; others say Prosascus, at the source of the Natisone; others, Borgo Bressana, a suburb of Cividale (Waitz). Musoni (Atti del Congresso in Cividale, 1899, pp. 187, 188) considers all these conjectures inadmissible, and shows that it was at the place now called Brischis, near that city.
39 Waitz says the bridge of San Pietro del Schiavi. Musoni (Atti, etc., p. 191) believes it was probably the present bridge of San Quirino.
40 It is evident that this account, which is no doubt based upon oral tradition and perhaps has some historical basis, has been greatly exaggerated, if indeed there is not a mistake in the figures, as Muratori suggests. The allusion to the patriarch also appears to contain an anachronism, since it was in 737, after these events, that the patriarch Calixtus removed his see to Cividale. Communities of Slavs still inhabit a portion of Friuli; they are divided, according to their linguistic peculiarities, into four principal groups, and probably came into this district at different times. (Musoni, Atti del Congresso in Cividale, 1899, pp. 187, 193).
After this Wechtari, Landari held the dukedom at Forum Julii, and when he died Rodoald succeeded him in the dukedom.
When then, as we have said, duke Lupus had died, king Grimuald gave Lupus’ daughter Theuderada to own son Romuald, who was governing Beneventum.41 From her he begot three sons, that is, Grimuald, Gisulf, and also Arichis.
41 Theuderada emulated Theudelinda in piety, and established the duchy of Benevento in the Catholic faith (Hodgkin, VI, 297, 298).
Also king Grimuald avenged his injuries (received) from all those who deserted him when he set out for Beneventum.
But he also destroyed in the following manner Forum Populi (Forlimpopoli), a city of the Romans,42 whose citizens had inflicted certain injuries upon him when he 233 set out for Beneventum and had often annoyed his couriers going from Beneventum and returning. Having left Tuscany43 through Bardo’s Alp44 (Bardi) at the time of Lent without any knowledge of the Romans, he rushed unexpectedly upon that city on the holy Sabbath of Easter itself45 in the hour when the baptism was occurring and made so great a carnage of men slain that he killed in the sacred font itself even those deacons who were baptizing little infants. And he so overthrew that city that very few inhabitants remain in it up to the present time.
42 On the Æmilian way, twenty miles south of Ravenna (Hodgkin, VI, 290).
43 Read e Tuscia egressus in place of Tuscam ingressus (Hodgkin, VI, 290, note 3).
44 A pass of the Apennines near Parma. There is evidently some mistake, either in the text or else by Paul, as the two places are far apart (Hodgkin, VI, 290, note 3). Otto von Freising says that the whole Apennine range was so called (Abel).
45 Sabbato paschali. Abel translates Easter Saturday, Hodgkin (VI, 290) Easter Sunday, which seems more probable from the context.
Grimuald had indeed no ordinary hatred against the Romans, since they had once treacherously betrayed his brothers Taso and Cacco.46 Wherefore he destroyed to its foundations the city of Opitergium (Oderzo) where they were killed, and divided the territories of those who had dwelt there among the people of Forum Julii (Cividale), Tarvisium (Treviso) and Ceneta (Ceneda).
During these times a duke of the Bulgarians, Alzeco by name, left his own people, from what cause is unknown, and peacefully entering Italy with the whole army of his dukedom, came to king Grimuald, promising to serve him and to dwell in his country. And the king directing him to Beneventum to his son Romuald, ordered that the latter should assign to him and his people places to dwell in.47 Duke Romuald, receiving them graciously, accorded to them extensive tracts to settle which had been deserted up to that time, namely, Sepinum (Sepino), Bovianum (Bojano), Isernia48 and other cities with their territories and directed that Alzeco himself, the name of his title being changed, should be called gastaldius49 instead of duke. And they dwell up to the present time in these places, as we have said, and although they also speak Latin, they have not at all forsaken the use of their own language.
47 Theophanes (Historia Miscella) relates the story differently (Waitz).
48 Places in the highlands of Samnium (Hodgkin, VI, 284).
49 See note to II, 32, supra, pp. 88-91 .
When the emperor Constans, as we said,50 had been killed in Sicily and the tyrant Mezetius who had succeeded him had been punished, Constantine, the son of the emperor Constantius, undertook the government of the empire of the Romans and reigned over the Romans 235 seventeen years. In the times of Constans indeed the archbishop Theodore and the abbot Adrian, also a very learned man, were sent by pope Vitalian into Britain and made very many churches of the Angles productive of the fruit of ecclesiastical doctrine. Of these men archbishop Theodore has described, with wonderful and discerning reflection, the sentences for sinners, namely, for how many years one ought to do penance for each sin.51
51 The book is entitled Poenitentiale (Giansevero).
Afterwards, in the month of August, a comet appeared in the east with very brilliant rays, which again turned back upon itself and disappeared. And without delay a heavy pestilence followed from the same eastern quarter and destroyed the Roman people. In these days Domnus (Donus), Pope of the Roman Church, covered with large white blocks of marble in a wonderful manner the place which is called Paradise in front of the church of the blessed apostle Peter.
At this time Dagipert, governed the kingdom of the Franks in Gaul and with him king Grimuald entered into a treaty of lasting peace.52 Perctarit also, who settled in the country of the Franks, fearing the power 236 of this Grimuald, departed from Gaul and determined to hasten to the island of Britain and the king of the Saxons.
52 This appears to be doubtful, as Dagipert II, to whom it refers, came to the throne in 674, after Grimuald’s death (Jacobi, 42). Hartmann believes that the treaty was made, though not with Dagipert (II, 1, 277). Clothar III or Childeric are suggested (Waitz).
But Grimuald indeed having remained in the palace on the ninth day after the use of the lancet, took his bow and when he attempted to hit a dove with an arrow, the vein of his arm was ruptured. The doctors, as they say, administered poisoned medicines and totally withdrew him from this life. He added in the edict which king Rothari had composed certain chapters of law which seemed useful to him.53 He was moreover very strong in body, foremost in boldness, with a bald head and a heavy beard, and was adorned with wisdom no less than with strength. And his body was buried in the church of the blessed Ambrose the Confessor, which he had formerly built in the city of Ticinum. Upon the expiration of one year and three months after the death of king Aripert, he usurped the kingdom of the Langobards, reigned nine years and left as king Garibald his son, still of boyish age whom the daughter of king Aripert had borne him.54 Then, as we had begun to say, Perctarit having departed from Gaul, embarked in 237 a ship to pass over to the island of Britain in the kingdom of the Saxons. And when he had already sailed a little way through the sea, a voice was heard from the shore of one inquiring whether Perctarit was in that ship. And when the answer was given him that Perctarit was there, he who called out added: “Say to him he may return to his country since to-day is the third day that Grimuald has been withdrawn from this life.” When he heard this, Perctarit straightway turned back again and coming to the shore could not find the person who informed him of the death of Grimuald, from which he thought that this was not a man but a Divine messenger. And then directing his course to his own country, when he had come to the confines of Italy he found already there awaiting him all the retinue of the palace, and all the royal officials in readiness together with a great multitude of the Langobards. And thus when he returned to Ticinum, and the little boy Garibald had been driven away from the kingdom, he was raised to the kingly power by all the Langobards, the third month after the death of Grimuald.55 He was moreover a pious man, a Catholic in belief,56 tenacious of justice and a very bountiful supporter of the poor. And he straightway sent to Beneventum and called back from thence his wife Rodelinda and his son Cunincpert.
53 In these chapters he discouraged the wager of battle and made strict provisions against bigamy, a crime which seems to have been increasing. He also incorporated the Roman principle in the succession of property, that when a father died the children should represent and take his share. His edict was issued A. D. 668 (Hodgkin, VI, 291, 292).
54 His elder son Romuald seems to have kept the duchy of Benevento.
55 A. D. 671 (Hartmann, II, 1, 255).
56 So much a Catholic that he caused the Jews in the kingdom to be baptized, and ordered all who refused to be slain (Song of the Synod of Pavia; see Hodgkin, VI, 303). Grimuald’s aggressive policy against the Romans was now abandoned.
And as soon as he had taken upon himself the rights of sovereignty, he built in that place which is on the side of the river Ticinus (Ticino) whence he himself had previously escaped, a convent called the New one, to his Lord and Deliverer in honor of the Holy Virgin and Martyr Agatha.57 In it he gathered together many virgins, and he also endowed this place with possessions and ornaments of many kinds. His queen Rodelinda indeed built with wonderful workmanship outside the walls of this city of Ticinum a church of the Holy Mother of God which is called “At the Poles,” and adorned it with marvelous decorations. This place moreover was called “At the Poles” because formerly poles, that is, beams, had stood there upright which were wont to be planted according to the custom of the Langobards for the following reason: if any one were killed in any place either in war or in any other way, his relatives fixed a pole within their burial ground upon the top of which they placed a dove made of wood that was turned in that direction where their beloved had expired so that it might be known in what place he who had died was sleeping.
57 It is said his escape occurred in the night before the festival of St. Agatha (Waitz).
Then Perctarit, when he had ruled alone for seven years, now in the eighth year took his son Cunincpert 239 as his consort in the government and with him he reigned in like manner for ten years.58
58 This seems to be a mistake. The period was something more than eight years (Hodgkin, VI, 304).
And while they were living in great peace and had tranquility around them on every side, there arose against them a son of iniquity, Alahis by name, by whom the peace was disturbed in the kingdom of the Langobards, and a great slaughter was made of the people. This man, when he was duke at the city of Tridentum (Trent), fought with the count of the Bavarians that they call “gravio”59 who governed Bauzanum (Botzen) and other strongholds, and defeated him in an astonishing manner. Elated from this cause, he also lifted his hand against Perctarit his king, and rebelling, fortified himself within the stronghold of Tridentum. King Perctarit advanced against him and while he besieged him from the outside, suddenly Alahis rushed unexpectedly out of the city with his followers, overthrew the king’s camp and compelled the king himself to seek flight. He afterwards however returned to the favor of king Perctarit through the agency of Cunincpert, the king’s son, who had loved him now for a long time. For when the king had at different times wanted to put him to death, his son Cunincpert always prevented this being done, thinking that he would thereafter be faithful, nor did he refrain from getting his 240 father also to bestow upon Alahis the dukedom of Brexia (Brescia), although the father often protested that Cunincpert did this to his own ruin, since he offered his enemy the means of obtaining the kingly power. The city of Brexia indeed had always a great multitude of noble Langobards and Perctarit feared that by their aid Alahis would become too powerful. In these days king Perctarit built with wonderful workmanship in the city of Ticinum, a gate adjoining the palace which was also called the “Palace Gate.”
59 Or grafio, the German Graf.
When he had held the sovereignty eighteen years,60 first alone and afterwards with his son, he was withdrawn from this life and his body was buried hard by the church of our Lord the Saviour which Aripert his father had built. He was of becoming stature, of a corpulent body, mild and gentle in all things. But king Cunincpert indeed took to wife Hermelinda, of the race of the Anglo-Saxons.61 She had seen in the bath Theodote, a girl sprung from a very noble stock of Romans, of graceful body and adorned with flaxen hair almost to the feet, and she praised the girl’s beauty to king Cunincpert, her husband. And although he concealed from his wife that he had heard this with pleasure, he 241 was inflamed, nevertheless, with great love for the girl, and without delay he set forth to hunt in the wood they call “The City,” and directed his wife Hermelinda to come with him. And he stole out from there by night and came to Ticinum, and making the girl Theodote come to him he lay with her. Yet he sent her afterwards into a monastery in Ticinum which was called by her name.
60 But see chapter 35, supra and note.
61 Egbert, king of Kent from 664 to 673, had a sister Eormengild and an uncle Eormenred, whose daughters’ names all begin with “Eormen.” Eormenlind or Hermelinda probably came from one of these families (Hodgkin, VI, 305, note 3).
Alahis indeed gave birth to the iniquity he had long since conceived, and with the help of Aldo and Grauso, citizens of Brexia, as well as many others of the Langobards, forgetful of so many favors that king Cunincpert had conferred upon him, forgetting also the oath by which he had engaged to be most faithful to him, he took possession, while Cunincpert was absent, of his kingly power and of the palace that stood at Ticinum. Cunincpert, hearing this at the place where he was, straightway fled to an island which is in Lake Larius (Como), not far from Comum (Como), and there fortified himself strongly.
But there was great grief among all who loved him and especially among the priests and clergy, all of whom Alahis held in hatred. There was indeed at that time a bishop of the church of Ticinum, Damianus, a man of God, distinguished for sanctity and well instructed in the liberal arts. When he saw that Alahis had taken possession of the palace, in order that neither he nor his church should suffer harm from him, he dispatched to him his deacon Thomas, a wise and religious man and 242 sent by him to this same Alahis the blessing62 of his holy church. It was announced to Alahis that Thomas the deacon stood before the door and had brought the benediction from the bishop. Then Alahis, who as we said, held all churchmen in hatred, thus spoke to his servants; “Go, say to him if he has clean breeches he may come in but if otherwise let him keep his foot outside.” Thomas, indeed, when he had heard these expressions thus answered: “Say to him that I have clean breeches, since I put them on washed to-day.” Alahis sent word to him again as follows: “I do not speak of the breeches but of the things that are inside the breeches.” To these things Thomas thus made answer: “Go, say to him God only can find blame in me for these causes, but that man can by no means do so.” And when Alahis had made this deacon come in to him he spoke with him very bitterly and with reproaching. Then fear and hatred of the tyrant took possession of all the churchmen and priests, since they deemed they could not at all bear his rudeness; and they began tosh for Cunincpert so much the more as they had in execration the haughty usurper of the kingdom. But not very long did rudeness and rough brutality keep the sovereignty they had usurped.
62 Benedictio, perhaps “the bread of the Eucharist” the “blessed bread” (Waitz). See Du Cange Benedictiones, Eulogia.
In fine, on a certain day when he was counting solidi upon a table, one tremisses63 fell from that table, which 243 the son of Aldo, who was yet a little boy, picked from the floor and gave back to this Alahis. Thinking that the boy understood but little, Alahis spoke to him as follows: “Your father has many of these which he is soon going to give me if God shall so will.” When this boy had returned to his father in the evening, his father asked him if the king had said anything to him that day, and he reported to his father all the things as they had happened and what king had said to him. When Aldo heard these things he was greatly concerned; and 244 joining his brother Grauso he reported to him all the things the king had ill-naturedly said. And they presently took counsel with their friends and with those they could trust, in what way they might deprive the tyrant Alahis his sovereignty before he could do them any injury. And later they set out to the palace and spoke to Alahis as follows: “Why do you deign to stay in town? See! all the city and the whole people are faithful to you, and that drunken Cunincpert is so broken up that he cannot now have any further resources. Depart and go to the hunt and exercise yourself with your young men, and we, with the rest of your faithful subjects, will defend this city for you. But we also promise you that we will soon bring you the head of your enemy, Cunincpert.” And he was persuaded by their words and departed from the city and set out for the very extensive City forest, and there began to exercise himself with sports and huntings. Aldo and Grauso, however, went to Lake Comacinus (Como), embarked in a boat and proceeded to Cunincpert. When they came to him they threw themselves at his feet, acknowledged that they had acted unjustly against him and reported to him what Alahis had knavishly spoken against them and what counsel they had given him to his ruin. Why say more? They shed tears together and gave oaths to each other fixing the day when Cunincpert should come that they might deliver to him the city of Ticinum. And this was done, for on the appointed day Cunincpert came to Ticinum, was received by them most willingly and entered his palace. Then all the citizens, and especially the bishop and the 245 priests also and the clergy, young men and old, ran to him eagerly and all embraced him with tears, and filled with boundless joy, shouted their thanks to God for his return; and he kissed them all as far as he could. Suddenly there came to Alahis one who announced that Aldo and Grauso had fulfilled all they had promised him and had brought him the head of Cunincpert, and not only his head, but also his whole body, for the man declared that he was staying in the palace. When Alahis heard this he was overwhelmed with dismay, and raging and gnashing his teeth, he threatened many things against Aldo and Grauso, and departed thence and returned through Placentia (Piacenza) to Austria64 and joined to himself as allies the various cities, partly by flatteries, partly by force. For when he came to Vincentia (Vicenza) the citizens went forth against him and made ready for war, but presently they were conquered and were made his allies. Going forth from thence he entered Tarvisium (Treviso), and in like manner also the remaining cities. And when Cunincpert collected an army against him, and the people of Forum Julii (Cividale),65 account of their fidelity, 246 wished to march to Cunincpert’s assistance. Alahis himself lay hid in the wood which is called Capulanus by the bridge of the river Liquentia (Livenza), which is distant forty-eight miles from Forum Julii and is in the way of those going to Ticinum, and when the army of the people of Forum Julii came, a few at a time, he compelled them all as they arrived to swear allegiance to him, diligently watching lest anyone of them should turn back and report this thing to the others who were approaching; and thus all those coming from Forum Julii were bound to him by oath. Why say more? Alahis with the whole of Austria, and on the other hand Cunincpert with his followers came and set up their camps in the field whose name is Coronate (Kornate).66
63 A coin, the third part of a solidus, and worth, says Hodgkin (VI, 308), about four shillings. Soetbeer (Forschungen zur Deutschen Geschichte, II, pp. 374 to 383) gives an account of the coins used by the Langobards. The mode of computation was the same as in the Greek jurisdiction of Ravenna (p. 374). The tremisses, not the whole solidus, was the common coin and those coined at Lucca after the time of the Ostrogothic kingdom (both before that city fell under the Langobards and afterwards down to 797), were an important medium of circulation. The average weight of the oldest of these coins was 1.38 grammes — corresponding with the Byzantine coins of the same period, while the coins of Lucca varied much in the fineness of the gold, from 23 carats, the Byzantine standard, down to 15 — the average being perhaps 17 or 18 (pp. 375, 376. 380). After the subjection of Lucca (about the year 640) and before the names of the last Langobard kings, Aistulf and Desiderius were placed upon the coins, that is during the period described in the text, the average weight was 1.33 grammes, while the fineness of the gold was very slightly reduced. It is not possible to say which Langobard king first began to coin money. Rothari in his Edict made provision for the punishment of false coinage, but the first king whose monogram appears upon a tremisses is Grimuald (Hartmann, II, 2, 33), and the first king’s portrait is that of Cunincpert. The duchy of Benevento had also a special coinage of its own (id.).
64 This name was used to designate the eastern part of the Langobard kingdom, and was often mentioned in the laws of king Liutprand (Waitz). Its western boundary was the Adda, and the land west of that stream was called Neustria, which, with a third division, Tuscia, constituted the main kingdom immediately subject to the king, as distinguished from the duchies of Spoleto and Benevento.
65 It will be noticed here that the people of Forum Julii and not the duke is mentioned. This is one of the signs of the gradual decrease in the power of the dukes in the northern portions of the Langobard kingdom. (See note 3, Bk. II, Ch. 32 supra.)
66 By the Adda, about ten miles southwest of Bergamo (Hodgkin, VI, 311).
Cunincpert dispatched a messenger to him, sending him word that he would engage him in single coat; that there was no need of using up the army of either. To these words Alahis did not at all agree. When one of his followers, a Tuscan by race, calling him a warlike and brave man, advised him to go forth boldly against Cunincpert, Alahis replied to these words: “Cunincpert, although he is a drunkard and of a stupid heart, is nevertheless quite bold and of wonderful strength. For in his father’s time when we were boys there were in the palace wethers of great size which he 247 seized by the wool of the back and lifted from the ground with outstretched arm, which, indeed, I was not able to do.” That Tuscan hearing these things said to him: “If you do not dare to go into a fight with Cunincpert in single combat you will not have me any longer as a companion in your support.” And saying this he broke away and straightway betook himself to Cunincpert and reported these things to him. Then, as we said, both lines came together in the field of Coronate. And when they were already near, so that they were about to join in battle, Seno, a deacon of the church of Ticinum, who was the guardian of the church of St. John the Baptist (which was situated within that city and which queen Gundiperga had formerly built), since he loved the king very much, and feared lest his sovereign should perish in war, said to the king: “My lord king, our whole lie lies in your welfare. If you perish in battle that tyrant Alahis will destroy us by various punishments; therefore may my counsel please you. Give me a suit of your armor and I will go and fight with that tyrant. If I shall die, you may still re-establish your cause, but if I shall win, a greater glory will be ascribed to you, because you will have conquered by your servant.” And when the king refused to do this, his few faithful ones who were present began to beg him with tears that he would give his consent to those things the deacon had said. Overcome at last, since he was of a tender heart, by their prayers and tears, he handed his cuirass and his helmet, and his greaves and his other arms to the deacon, and dispatched him to the battle to play the part of the king. For this deacon 248 was of the same stature and bearing, so that when he had gone armed out of the tent he was taken for king Cunincpert by all. The battle then was joined and they struggled with all their might. And when Alahis pressed the harder there where he thought the king was, he killed Seno the deacon, and imagined that Cunincpert had been slain. And when he had ordered his head cut off so that after it was lifted upon a pike they should cry out “Thanks to God,” when the helmet was removed, he learned that he had killed a churchman. Then crying out in his rage he said: “Woe is me! We have done nothing when we have brought the battle to this point that we have killed a churchman! Therefore, I now make this kind of a vow that if God shall give me the victory I will fill a whole well with the members of churchmen.”
Then Cunincpert, seeing that his men had lost, straightway showed himself to them, and taking away their fear, strengthened their hearts to hope for victory. Again the lines of battle formed and on the one side Cunincpert, and on the other Alahis made ready for the struggles of war. And when they were already near so that both lines were joining to fight, Cunincpert again sent a message to Alahis in these words: “See how many people there are on both sides! What need is there that so great a multitude perish? Let us join, he and I, in single combat and may that one of us to whom God may have willed to give the victory have and possess all this people safe and entire.” And when his 249 followers exhorted Alahis to do what Cunincpert enjoined him he answered: “I cannot do this because among his spears I see the image of the holy archangel Michael67 by whom I swore allegiance to him.” Then one of them said: “From fear you see what is not, and anyhow, it is now late for you to think of these things.” Then when the trumpets sounded, the lines of battle joined, and as neither side gave way, a very great slaughter was made of the people. At length the cruel tyrant Alahis perished, and Cunincpert with the help of the Lord obtained the victory. The army of Alahis too, when his death was known, took the protection of flight. And of those whomsoever the point of the sword did not cut down the river Addua (Adda) destroyed. Also the head of Alahis was cut off and his legs were cut away and only his deformed and mangled corpse remained. The army of the people of Forum Julii was not in this war at all because, since it had unwillingly sworn allegiance to Alahis, for this reason it gave assistance neither to king Cunincpert nor to Alahis, but returned home when the two engaged in war. Then Alahis having died in this manner, king Cunincpert commanded that the body of Seno the deacon should be buried in great splendor before the gates of the church of St. John which the deacon had governed. The reigning sovereign himself indeed returned to Ticinum with the rejoicing of all and in the triumph of victory.
67 The patron saint of the Langobards (Hartmann, II, 2, 25; Waitz).
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