Chapter 5: Engineering and Empire
Chapter 5: Engineering an Empire
“States are not based on military victory alone, but by the rule of law and wisdom of wise kings.” – Statement attributed to Theodemir the Great
Toulouse, Capital of Visigothic Kingdom
May, 533 CE
Theodemir stood proudly on the shield, as the assembled Visigothic soldiers raised him above their heads. A soft breeze blew through the streets of the Visigothic capital, catching his long hair, so that it billowed behind him like a trail of smoke. The assembled nobles, responsible for the election of the new king, let out a hearty cheer which was soon picked up by the mixed gothic-roman crowd who can come to view the event.
Theodemir raised his hand to signal the crowd to quiet. Although having been taken aback by the decision of the nobles to elect him as King, he had quickly overcome his shock. It had been the policy of the Amlings to mediate the unification of the two Gothic kingdoms for several generations now. Although he had planned for it to occur during the reign of his oldest son Theodebert, Theodemir had always believed that one should be ready to exploit every opportunity given. The loss of Amalaric had hit him hard, but through his cousin’s death, the two kingdoms could now, finally, be united. The Merovings had, inadvertently, united their southern foes, and would pay dearly for their crimes in the future.
“My fellow Goths”, Theodemir began as the crowd once again roared its approval, “and my fellow Romans, too.” The roar, this time, was deafening. “It is with the gravest heart that I accept your call that I assume the crown of the Visigoths. Many of you know me from the past, for it was I who came to help tutor Amalaric, your former king, and helped oversee this grand land, until he was capable of doing so himself. It grieves me that he is not here, now, and that we were raising toasts to our victory over the Merovings. But, he died fulfilling his duties of King, defending the people of this realm from the ruthless aggression of those who would break the peace for their own personal gain.”
“Know this. I take the throne with the full respect that the traditions of this land, and these people, deserve. Together, we shall march forward from the tragedies of the past. We are partners, and when we work in concord, as we did in the past, there is nothing that our peoples cannot accomplish. Let this mark the beginning a partnership between the Goths of the West, the Goths of the East, and the Roman people of this land, as well.”
If he had been a younger man, in his twenties, we would have been overwhelmed by the surging energies of the crowd. Even now, at nearly four decades of age, it was difficult to not get swept away by the emotions of that evening. But that would be a mistake. Although his was popular now, Theodemir understood how popularity could ebb and flow over time. There would be many who would oppose his efforts to draw the two Gothic nations together, and the reforms that he would be forced to enact. But those efforts would be necessary, if the Goths were to grow and prosper.
As he was lowered from the shield, Theodemir allowed himself a silent sigh, and cast his gaze back over his shoulder. When it become evident that he would be elected as King of the Visigoths, he had sent for Theodebert, hoping for the boy to be present for the occasion. But he and his mother had yet to arrive. His son was only 9 years old, but it would not be too early to introduce his heir to the Visigoths, for it would be under him that the two Kingdoms would become merged into one.
It was a shame he could not be present, but an unavoidable one. There would be time to do the necessary work, such as officially arranging a marriage for the boy, in the future. Now was the time to celebrate his ascension, in a typically Gothic fashion, and begin laying the framework for the future. And then, finally, he would be able to avenge the death of his cousin. Business, as they say, before pleasure.
Government in Early Germanic Europe
By: Lotar Van Scheldt
Trans: Cuthert Asholt
Antwerp: National University of Frankreich Publishing, 2001
Chapter 3: The Early Gothic State
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The reforms enacted by Theodemir the Great had such a great impact upon the future Gothic state, that many have credited him as being the true founder of Gothland. This is patently absurd, the modern state of Gothland developed over a course of centuries following the collapse of their Empire, and is akin to claiming that Julius Caesar was the founder of the Italian Republic. However, it would be equally foolish to deny that Theodemir’s reign did not have a significant impact upon the development of the Gothic people during their initially settlement in what was then northern Italia and Aquitaine. In fact, the governmental structure which he engineered can be seen as largely responsible for the Goths’ successes throughout the 6th and 7th centuries.
The first several years of Theodemir’s reign saw him largely maintaining the same structure that had been forged by his father, Theodoric, with only minimal changes. The greatest innovation which he introduced during this time was the ordering of the translation of important Greek and Roman works into Gothic. Theodemir also invited the children of nobles to come to the palace at Ravenna to study from these translated works. As Goths, save members of the royal family, had been forbidden from pursuing a Roman education since the time of Theodoric, this would become the only legitimate avenue of education for Goths. This royal school would eventually evolve into the Ravenna Academy during the reign of Theodemir and his immediate successors.
With the ascension of Theodemir to the kingship of the Visigoths, the King faced the first great administrative challenge of his reign. Although the two kingdoms would not officially be united under Theodemir, the ties which he built between the realms would prove instrumental to their eventual merger under Amalaric I.
Despite the boost of prestige to the Amaling line that Theodemir’s dual kingship provided, ruling two kingdoms was not without its challenges. Although the Roman governmental structure remained functioning in Italy, it remained much weaker in the lands of the Visigoths. Prior to assuming the throne of the Ostrogoths, Theodemir had been acting regent for the Visigoths and was well aware of the way in which that government functioned. However, he remained dedicated to establishing the pattern of governance which he Father had built in Italy. This quickly began to sap Theodemir’s resources, as he attempted to expand his control throughout much of Western Europe. This necessitated far reaching reforms across his two realms.
The first of Theodemir’s great reforms was to establish the two realms of East and West Gothland. In the East, this comprised the lands of Northern Italy from the River Arno in the South to the Alps in the north. West Gothland was to contain the region of the Erbo River in southeast Hispania, as well as the lands of southern Aquitaine around the capital of Toulouse. Gothic settlements were to be restricted to within only these regions and those lands would be ruled only by Gothic law.
The creation of East and West Gothland did not represent a dramatic change to the status quo, but rather the official recognition of the lay of the land. At this point Gothic settlements still remained largely within the boundaries which Theodemir officially recognized. The restriction of settlement outside of these lands served the king’s purpose in two important ways. First, it concentrated the Goths to two localities, greatly limiting the chance of their eventual diffusion and assimilation into the larger Roman cultural sphere. In doing so, he was simply continuing the policies of his father to their logical conclusion. Secondly, it restrained the nobility to given territories, thereby allowing the King to consolidate his power to a greater extent. This was in response to a growing problem in the Visigothic lands, where nobles would flee to southern and central Hispania to escape the control of Toulouse.
The establishment of East and West Gothland would prove to be one of the most monumental events which allowed for the eventual expansion of the Gothic state. The decision to restrict the practice of Gothic and Roman law to distinct geographic boundaries marked a shift in the evolution of the Germanic kingdoms in former Roman lands, where previously, the law was determined by the ethnicity of the individual. It also led to the creation of the Codex Gothum, which was to apply to the Gothic lands of both the Ostrogoths and Visigoths, and was heavily based off of the Euric Code. Theodemir set out to finally settle the last of the land issues left over from the initial settlement of the Ostrogoths. Using the gold obtained by tribute from the Franks, the King bought out the last of the Roman landlords in the lands of Goths and redistributed it to his supporters. [FN1]
The final reform of Theodemir during the first 15 years of his reign dealt specifically with Italy. The rebellion of the Romans during the first year of his realm had left a lasting impact upon the King. Although he enjoyed good relations with the Romans of Italy from that time onward, he also understood that their good graces were required for the stability of his kingdom. As a result, he chose to expand the powers of the Roman Senate, giving them limited administrative duties across all of Italy, south of East Gothland. This not only increased the loyalty of the Romans to the King, but also allowed him to turn his attention elsewhere, which would become a necessity following his further conquests in Gaul. [FN2]
The Life of Theodemir the Great
Wulfila Strabo
Trans. Athelrad Edwardson
London: National University of England Publishing, 1964
Theodemir’s reforms greatly excited members of the nobility, especially those in the West, who had become used to the light hand of previous kings. These nobles feared the just hand of the King, fearing he would punish them for the excesses which they routinely took part in against their subjects, both Goth and Roman. Turning away from the true king, they began to plot treason. Meeting in the city of Toledo they elected on of their own number, a certain Hermenegild, to be their king and set about attempting to overthrow Theodemir.
In the 10th year of his reign [538 CE] those rose up against him and caused much mischief in the lands of Hispania, drawing much support from the larger land holders in West Gothland. Theodemir quickly responded to their threat, and set out, defeating them outside of Toulouse that year. However, he a king who believed in justice and mercy, and agreed to pardon those rebels who agreed to swear an oath of allegiance to him, even sparing Hermenegild, who he exiled to a monastery, sparing his life if that man would choose the cloister over the manor.
Theodemir’s mercy was wasted on these wicked men. A year later, the most obstinate of them rebelled again, this time choosing Athalbert to lead them into battle. Once again our king met them in battle, this time at Narbo, where they ambushed Theodemir, and would have destroyed his army had it not been for Theodahad, Rieks of Liguria and cousin to the king, who gave his life while repelling the rebels. Our king mourned for his relative and vowed to return with a force to destroy the rebels once and for all. [FN3]
In the 12th year of his reign, Theodemir returned. The rebels during this time had made their capital at Toledo, and expanded their control throughout much of Southern West Gothland, holding the lands on the south shore of the Ebro River. However, they were unable to withstand the might of his army, which he commanded with the help of his son Theodebert. Together they were able to push the rebels back and place Toledo under siege. That winter was brutal on both sides, but the next April there was a revolt in the city, and the citizens threw the gates open to the King’s forces. The rebels were viciously dealt with, and Athalbert himself was executed and his head sent back to Toulouse as a trophy.
However, some of the rebels had managed to escape the city before it fell, and they made their way to the lands of the Suibi, where they continued to harass Theodemir for many years, helping that people expand their realm further to the south into Lusitania.
Ravenna, Capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom
October, 543 CE
Theodemir cursed lowly to himself. Ever since he had been raised to the throne of the Visigoths, he had made it his practice of spending the summer months in Toulouse, before returning to Ravenna for the winter. This had become all the more important since the revolts of Hermenegild and Athalbert four years earlier. But, ever since Toledo and that horrid siege, his joints had begun to act up as winter’s chill set in. He knew the legends of his people, and knew they had originally hailed from far in the north, and on days like this he sincerely wondered how his ancestors had managed to deal with the cold.
It was not his joints, today, that were causing his irritable mood. “It should have arrived by now,” he said! His tone of voice must have carried more edge to it than he had intended, because he noticed several of his advisors flinch away.
“Perhaps the tribute is just held up”, Bonaventure, one of his chief Comes said. “Clothair has been late with his tribute in the past.”
Theodemir shook his head. His hair, once a thick mane of blond had begun to grow grey and was thinning on his crown, whipped through the air, exaggerating gesture. “He has been late in the past, yes, but never this late. It was always just soon enough that he could claim that it had been delayed by this excuse or that. His brothers’ gold had all arrived as planned back in April. No, that bastard is up to something. I can feel it. Didn’t even one of the old Roman historians once say that the Franks weren’t to be trusted?”
“Father, if I may speak?”
The king looked over at Theodebert, his eldest son. He smiled as he remembered the boy’s wide-eyed response when he had seen Toulouse, back when he had first arrived in that city. He was no boy now, but rather a strapping man in his prime, at the age of the 19. In many ways, he was the spitting image of his father, but had the cold grey eyes of his Mother.
“Yes, son, what is it?”
“Clothair may be trying to break our treaty of the last decade, but there might also be over circumstances. I’ve heard that he has been having some difficulties with the Burgundians. Rather than jump to conclusions, perhaps we should send a small party to Soissons? He would never violate the rules of hospitality, it would hurt his standing amongst his brothers too much, and a small force might intimidate him into giving us our due.”
Theodemir nodded slowly. It was just the sort of plan that he would expect from his eldest, bold, but logical. But he had his misgivings. “It’s too risky. If Clothair is determined to break his treaty with us, than I would fear for the safety of whoever was sent, and I suspect you are volunteering to lead this mission?”
Theodebert smiled, “It is only a risk if we act foolishly. And who says the mission is about the tribute? We all know that there is bad blood between our families, but doesn’t Clothair have a daughter who is of marrying age? Brunhilde, I believe is her name. And it is well time that you arranged a marriage for Amalaric.”
The King nodded, “So, you suggest we go under the cover of seeking her hand in marriage for your brother? It might work, and it would be good to settle our feud if possible, although I still burn for what he did to my cousin.”
“Yes, Father, and they equally burn after you slew their father.”
Theodemir shot a glare at his son. His killing of Clovis had been one of the worst mistakes of his life, and it continued to cause his pain decades later. It was alienated his own mother and sister, led to the death of his cousin, and cost the lives of countless members of is army.
“I’m sorry Father, I spoke out of turn. I was simply saying that there are wounds on both sides, and the best way to heal them would be through marriage. And, furthermore, if that was out excuse for the visit, they wouldn’t question our sending an honor guard there to help me negotiate the deal.”
Theodemir sighed, “You are as headstrong as I am, Theodebert. Don’t let it lead you down the wrong paths, as I occasionally am. But, your plan makes sense. Gather you’re people. You won’t be able to begin until after Winter passes, so you have some time to plan. But I want you to bring Wulfila with you. He’s been your friend since you were young, and I would feel safer if he was there to advise you.”
“Thank you Father,” Theodebert said, “I hope to make you proud. One way or another I’ll bring an end to this feud between ourselves and the Merovings.”
[FN1] The Euric Code was the first law code of any of the Germanic peoples, having been compiled for the Visigoths a few years before the Ostrogoths even arrived in Italy. It was a blending of traditional Visigothic law with some influence from the Code of Theodosius. Among other things, it codified the stratification between the Roman population and the Visigoths. Theodemir’s code is heavily based off of it, but is slightly less harsh on the Roman population in East and West Gothland, although a certain stratification still exists.
Among aspects of it that I did not touch on in the main post, for instance, is a law that a Roman man may not marry a Gothic woman, for fear that the children would take after their father. However a Gothic man may marry a Gothic woman for the same reason. It also creates, by extension, eliminates any chance of a Roman inheriting Gothic lands through marriage.
[FN2] This is not without precedent. Prior to the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Roman Senate was a dying institution. However, Theodoric gave them more power, allowing them to serve as advisors to himself, greatly increasing the Senate’s prestige, and returning it to an advisory body like it had been under the earlier Roman Emperors. The Senate’s disappearance in OTL seems to have come about as a result of the collapse of the Gothic kingdom in the Gothic Wars. It makes sense that Theodemir, in his current situation, would choose to continue, and expand upon, the policies of his father.
[FN3] The sacrifice of Theodahad will end up becoming a central incident in the story cycle of Theodemir the Great, much as the death of Roland became in the Charlemagne Cycle in OTL. I felt Theodahad deserved a better end than the one he got in real life, at any rate. Another event that will find its way into stories is just around the corner.
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And so ends my longest chapter yet. I apologize for the length of it, but if I'm going to go forward with this, I needed to at least begin to describe the internal transformation of the Gothic kingdoms, and hint as to how they will develope in the future. I could go into more detail, but the post was becoming excessively long as it was. I plan on returning to the topic in future posts.
I hope you enjoyed the newest update. I expect to have the next one up soon. I apologize for the length between the last chapter and this one, I felt that I needed to do some more research into the structure of the Ostrogoths before I could move foreward.
As usually, any and all comments or questions are welcome!
