HISTORIOGRAPHY IN THE MIDDLE AGES - Julian Emperor

86 JOAQUÍN MARTÍNEZ PIZARROLombards were so daunted by the loss of this great leader that—after the brief reign of Cleph—they remained kingless for ten years,during which they were ruled by dukes.Book III surveys the hostilities between Lombards and Franks inthe period between Cleph and Authari (574–83): the Lombard dukesinvaded Gaul and were driven out; then the Franks led raids intoItaly. Authari, chosen king in 584, won great victories over the Franksand married the Bavarian princess Theodelinda; his bridal quest andother prowess are narrated in anecdotal and romantic form. On hisdeath Theodelinda, beloved of the people, was allowed to select thenew king of the Lombards to be her husband, and her choice fellupon Agilulf, duke of Turin. Book III also traces the origins of theduchy of Benevento (III,33) and gives considerable attention to extra-Italian matters, covering the succession of emperors at Constantinoplefrom Justin II to Maurice, who moves the Frankish Childebert toattack the Lombards, as well as the dawn of Christianity among theEnglish with the mission of Augustine (III,25).Book IV handles the longest period of time, from Agilulf (590–616)to Grimoald’s taking of power in 662. Agilulf has a tumultuous reign,fighting against rebellious Lombard dukes and against the Roman(i.e., Byzantine) armies of the patricius of Ravenna. Occasionally, hemust also make war against the Avars, former neighbors of theLombards in Pannonia, though more often the two are allies. Aboutsome of the kings of this period, Paul confesses that he has foundno information at all (e.g., Arioald, 626–36; HL IV,41). Aside fromthe Lombard sack of Monte Cassino, which remains uninhabited foryears, and the affairs of Benevento, the most notable incident of thisbook is the Avar invasion of Friuli, told dramatically and seasonedwith Paul’s favorite themes of feminine treachery and youthful heroismon the battlefield. After the invasion, the duchy falls to thebrother of Duke Gisulf, who had been killed by the Avars, andGisulf’s sons move to Benevento. Grimoald, the youngest, will becomeduke of Benevento before taking the Lombard crown by force atthe end of the book. On the international front, the narrative coversthe reigns of Phocas and Heraclius in Constantinople.Book V is primarily concerned with Grimoald I’s battles againstthe Franks, the Avars, but chiefly against Constans II, who leavingthe imperial capital sets up his court in Sicily and lays siege toBenevento, then ruled by Grimoald’s son Romoald. This book is ofdecisive importance in Paul’s argument against the Byzantines, whom