Isidore of Seville: HISTORIA DE REGIBUS GOTHORUM, WANDALORUM ET SUEVORUM

1 Omnium terrarum, quaeque sunt ab occiduo usque ad Indos, pulcherrima es, o sacra, semperque felix principum, gentiumque mater Hispania. Jure tu nunc omnium regina provinciarum, a qua non Occasus tantum, sed etiam Oriens lumina mutuat. Tu decus, atque ornamentum orbis, illustrior portio terrae: in qua gaudet multum ac largiter floret Geticae gentis gloriosa fecunditas.

1 Of all lands, and of whatever lie from the Occasus even to the Indos, you are most beautiful, O sacred and ever‑happy mother of principes and of gentiles, Hispania. By right you are now queen of all provinces, from whom not only the West but also the Oriens borrows its lights. You are the decus and ornament of the orb, a more illustrious portion of the earth: in whom rejoices greatly and buds forth the glorious fecundity of the Getic gens.

2 Merito te omnium ubertate gignentium indulgentior natura ditavit. Tu baccis opima, vis proflua, messibus laeta, segete vestiris, oleis inumbraris, vite praetexeris. Tu florulenta campis, montibus frondua, piscosa littoribus.

2 Deservedly nature hath enriched thee, more indulgent than to all, with the fertility of begetting. Thou art rich in berries, of abundant force, glad in thy harvests, clothed with corn, shaded with olives, woven o'er with vines. Thou art flowery on thy fields, frondful on thy mountains, and fish‑rich on thy shores.

Tu sub mundi plaga gratissima sita, nec aestivo solis ardore torreris, nec glaciali rigore tabescis, sed temperata coeli zona praecincta, zephyris felicibus enutriris. Quidquid enim arva fecundum, quidquid metalla pretiosum, quidquid animantia pulchrum et utile ferunt parturis. Nec illis amnibus posthabenda, quos clara speciosorum gregum fama nobilitat.

You, placed in the most delightful quarter of the world, are neither scorched by the summer ardor of the sun, nor do you waste away with glacial rigor, but girded by a temperate zone of the sky, you are nourished by felicitous zephyrs. For whatever the fields bring forth fertile, whatever the mines yield precious, whatever living creatures bear beautiful and useful things. Nor are those pastures to be set after these, which the bright fame of the splendid herds ennobles.

3 Tibi cedet Alphaeus equis, Clitumnus armentis, quanquam volucres per spatia quadrigas olympicis sacer palmis Alpheus exerceat, et ingentes Clitumnus juvencos capitolinis olim immolaverit victimis. Tu nec Etruriae saltus uberior pabulorum requiris, nec lucos Molorchi palmarum plena miraris, nec equorum cursu tuorum eleis curribus invidebis. Tu superfusis fecunda fluminibus, tu aurifluis fulva torrentibus.

3 To you will yield the Alpheus for horses, Clitumnus for herds, although the Alpheus, sacred with Olympian palms, may drive winged quadrigae through the spaces, and Clitumnus once immolated mighty bull-calves to the Capitoline victims. You neither seek a more fertile grove of pastures in Etruria, nor marvel at the groves full of Molorchian palms, nor will you envy the run of horses to your chariots. You, fruitful by overflowing rivers, you, by gold-bearing tawny torrents.

Tibi fons equi genitor. Tibi vellera indigenis fucata conchyliis ad rubores tyrios inardescunt. Tibi fulgurans inter obscura penitorum montium lapis jubare contiguo vicini solis accenditur.

To you the spring, sire of the horse. To you fleeces, dyed with indigenous shells, blaze into Tyrian reds. To you a gleaming stone, amid the shadowed recesses of the inner mountains, is kindled by the adjacent radiance of the neighboring sun.

4 Alumnis igitur, et gemmis dives et purpuris, rectoribus pariter et dotibus imperiorum fertilis, sic opulenta es principibus ornandis, ut beata pariendis. Jure itaque te jam pridem aurea Roma caput gentium concupivit, et licet te sibimet eadem Romulea virtus primum victrix spoponderit, denuo tamen Gothorum florentissima gens post multiplices in orbe victorias certatim rapuit et amavit, fruiturque hactenus inter regias infulas et oves largas, imperii felicitate secura.

4 Therefore, rich in foster-children, and in gems and purples, equally fruitful in rulers and in the dowries of empires, so opulent are you in adorning princes that you are blessed in begetting. Rightly, then, golden Rome long ago desired you as head of nations, and although the same Romulean virtue first pledged you to herself as conqueror, yet again the most flourishing race of the Goths, after manifold victories about the orb, eagerly seized and loved you, and hitherto enjoys you among royal fillets and ample flocks, secure in the felicity of empire.

INCIPIT HISTORIA.

HERE BEGINS THE HISTORY.

1 Gothorum antiquissimam esse gentem certum est: quorum originem quidam de Magog, filio Japhet, suspicantur educi a similitudine ultimae syllabae, et magis de Ezechiele propheta id colligentes. Retro autem eruditio eos magis Getas quam Gog et Magog appellare consuevit. Gens fortissima etiam Judaeam terram vestatura describitur.

1 It is certain that the Goths are a most ancient people: some suspect their origin to be drawn from Magog, son of Japheth, from the likeness of the final syllable, and gathering this especially from the prophet Ezekiel. Earlier learning, however, has been wont to call them rather Getae than Gog and Magog. The very bravest nation is likewise described as about to clothe (or to possess) the land of Judea.

2 Interpretatio autem nominis eorum in linguam nostram tecti, quo significatur fortitudo; et re vera, nulla enim gens in orbe fuit quae Romanum imperium adeo fatigaverit ut hi. Isti enim sunt quos etiam Alexander vitandos pronuntiavit, Pyrrhus pertimuit, Caesar exhorruit. (Ex Oros.) Per multa quippe retro saecula ducibus usi sunt, postea regibus, quorum oportet tempora per ordinem cursim exponere, et quo nomine actuque regnaverint, de historiis libata retexere.

2 The interpretation of their name into our language is tecti, by which is signified fortitude; and in truth, there was no people in the orb which so exhausted the Roman imperium as these. For these are they whom even Alexander proclaimed to be avoided, Pyrrhus feared, Caesar shuddered at. (From Oros.) Indeed, for many centuries back they were led by duces, afterwards by kings, whose times it is necessary briefly to set forth in order, and by what name and by what act they reigned, to weave together from selected histories.

3 Anno ante aeram conditam XII, dum pro arripiendo reipublicae imperio, Cn. Pompeius et C. Julius Caesar arma civilia commovissent, Gothi, ad praebendum Pompeio auxilium, in Thessaliam adversus Caesarem pugnaturi venerunt. Ubi dum in Pompeii exercitu Aethiopes, Indi, Persae, Medi, Graeci, Armeni, Scythae, ac reliquae Orientis gentes evocatae adversus Julium dimicassent, isti prae caeteris Caesari fortius restiterunt. Quorum Caesar copia et virtute turbatus fertur fugam meditatus esse, nisi nox praelio finem dedisset.

3 In the year 12 before the founding of the City, when, to seize the rule of the republic, Cn. Pompey and C. Julius Caesar had raised civil arms, the Goths, to render aid to Pompey, came into Thessaly to fight against Caesar. Where, while in Pompey's army Ethiopians, Indians, Persians, Medes, Greeks, Armenians, Scythians, and the remaining peoples of the East had been summoned to contend against Julius, these above all more stoutly resisted Caesar. Caesar, troubled by their number and virtue, is said to have contemplated flight, had not night put an end to the battle.

Tunc Caesar ait nec Pompeium scire vincere, nec Caesarem posse vinci. Nam si Pompeius vincere nosset, hodie cum tam asperis viris Caesarem superasset.

Then Caesar said that neither Pompeius knew how to conquer, nor could Caesar be conquered. For if Pompeius had known how to conquer, today, with men so harsh, he would have overcome Caesar.

4 Aera CCXCIV. Anno imperii Valeriani et Gallieni primo, Gothi, descensis montibus Alpibus, quibus inhabitabant, Graeciam, Macedoniam, Pontum, Asiam atque Illyricum vastaverunt. Ex quibus Illyricum et Macedoniam 15 ferme annis tenuerunt.

4 Year 294. In the first year of the reign of Valerian and Gallienus, the Goths, having descended from the Alpine mountains in which they dwelt, devastated Greece, Macedonia, Pontus, Asia and Illyricum. Of these they held Illyricum and Macedonia for about 15 years.

Deinde a Claudio Imperatore superati sedes proprias repetunt. Romani autem Claudium Augustum pro eo quod tam fortissimam gentem a finibus reipublicae removisset, insigni gloria honorantes, in foro illi aureum clypeum, in capitolio auream statuam collocaverunt.

Then, having been overcome by Emperor Claudius, they reclaimed their own seats. And the Romans, honoring Claudius Augustus with conspicuous glory because he had removed so brave a people from the borders of the republic, placed in that forum a golden clypeum (shield), and on the Capitoline a golden statue.

5 Aera CCCLXIX, anno XXVI imperii Constantini, Gothi, Sarmatarum regionem aggressi, copiosissimis super Romanos irruerunt agminibus, vehementi virtute cuncta gladio et depraedatione vastantes. Adversus quos idem Constantinus aciem instruxit, ingentique certamine vix superatos ultra Danubium expulit, ne diversis gentibus virtutis gloria clarus, sed de Gothorum victoria amplius gloriosus. Quem Romani, acclamante senatu, publica laude prosecuti sunt quod tantam gentem vicerit, quod patriam rempublicam reformaverit.

5 Era 369, in the 26th year of the reign of Constantine, the Goths, having attacked the region of the Sarmatians, with very numerous agmines rushed upon the Romans, devastating all by the sword and by depredation with vigorous valor. Against whom the same Constantine drew up his line of battle, and with a huge struggle, scarcely having overthrown them, expelled them beyond the Danube, so that he was famed among diverse peoples not merely for the glory of valor, but rather even more glorious for the victory over the Goths. Whom the Romans, the senate acclaiming, publicly praised because he had conquered so great a people, because he had restored the fatherland republic.

6 Aera CDVII, anno V imperii Valentis, primus Gothorum gentis administrationem suscepit Athanaricus, regnans annos XIII, qui, persecutione crudelissima adversus fidem commota, voluit se exercere contra Gothos, qui in gente sua Christiam habebantur, ex quibus plurimos, qui Idolis immolare non acquieverunt, martyres fecit; reliquos autem multis persecutionibus affectos, dum pro multitudine horreret interficere, dedit licentiam, imo magis coegit de regno suo exire, atque in Romani soli migrare provincias.

6 Aera 407, in the 5th year of the reign of Valens, Athanaricus first took up the administration of the Gothic people, ruling 13 years, who, moved by a most cruel persecution against the faith, sought to exercise himself against those Goths who were counted Christian in his nation; of whom he made very many martyrs who would not consent to sacrifice to the Idols; but he granted leave to the rest, afflicted by many persecutions, since he dreaded to kill them because of their multitude — nay rather he forced them to leave his kingdom and to migrate into the provinces of the Romans.

7 Aera CDXV, anno XIII imperii Valentis, Gothi in Istrum adversus semetipsos in Athanarico et Fridigerno divisi sunt, alternis sese caedibus depopulantes. Sed Athanaricus Fridigernum Valentis imperatoris suffragio superat. Hujus rei gratia legatos cum muneribus ad eumdem imperatorem mittit, et doctores propter suscipiendam Christianae fidei regulam poscit.

7 Year 415, in the 13th year of the reign of Valens, the Goths on the Ister, divided among themselves into Athanaric and Fridigern, made war against one another, devastating each other by alternating massacres. But Athanaric overcame Fridigern by the suffrage of Emperor Valens. For this reason he sends legates with gifts to that same emperor, and requests teachers to receive the rule of the Christian faith.

Valens autem a veritate catholicae fidei devius, et Arianae haeresis perversitate detentus, missis haereticis sacerdotibus, Gothos persuasione nefanda sui erroris dogmati aggregavit, et in tam praeclaram gentem virus pestiferum semine pernicioso transfudit, sicque errorem quem recens credulitas ebibit, tenuit, diuque servavit.

Valens, however, having turned aside from the truth of the catholic faith and held by the perversity of the Arian heresy, sending forth heretical priests, joined the Goths by the persuasion of his nefarious dogma, and poured into so illustrious a people the pestiferous virus in a pernicious seed; and thus he held, and long preserved, the error which recent credulity had imbibed.

8 Tunc Gulfilas eorum Gothorum episcopus Gothicas litteras condidit, et scripturas Novi ac Veteris Testamenti in eamdem linguam convertit. Gothi autem, statim ut litteras et legem habere coeperunt, instruxerunt sibi dogmatis sui Ecclesias, talia juxta eumdem Arium de ipsa divinitate documenta tenentes, ut crederent Filium Patri majestate esse minorem, et aeternitate posteriorem. Spiritum autem sanctum, nec Deum esse, neque substantiam Patris existere, sed per Filium creatum esse, utriusque ministerio deditum, et amborum obsequio subditum.

8 Then Gulfilas, their Gothic bishop, devised Gothic letters, and rendered the writings of the New and Old Testament into that same tongue. The Goths, however, as soon as they began to possess letters and the law, founded for themselves Churches of their own dogma, holding such doctrines concerning the very divinity according to that same Arius, namely that they believed the Son to be lesser in majesty than the Father, and posterior in eternity. The Holy Spirit, moreover, they held to be neither God nor of the substance of the Father, but created through the Son, entrusted to the ministry of both, and subjected to the service of both.

Aliam quoque Patris sicut personam, sic et naturam asserentes; aliam Filii, aliam denique Spiritus sancti, ut jam non (secundum sanctae Scripturae traditionem) unus Deus et Dominus coleretur, sed, juxta idololatriae superstitionem, tres dii venerarentur. Cujus blasphemiae malum per decessum temporum, regumque successum, annis CCXIII tenuerunt. Qui tandem reminiscentes salutis suae, renuntiaverunt inolitae perfidiae, et per Christi gratiam ad unitatem fidei catholicae pervenerunt.

Also asserting the Father to be another both as person and likewise as nature; another of the Son, and finally another of the Holy Spirit, so that now (contrary to the tradition of Holy Scripture) one God and Lord was no longer worshipped, but, according to the superstition of idolatry, three gods were venerated. The evil of this blasphemy they held for 213 years through the lapse of times and the succession of kings. At last they, remembering their salvation, renounced the novel perfidy, and by Christ’s grace reached the unity of the catholic faith.

9 Aera CDXVI, anno XIV imperii Valentis, Gothi, qui primum Christianos a terra sua expulerant, rursus ipsi ab Hunnis cum rege suo Athanarico expulsi sunt; transitoque Danubio, cum vim ferre non possent Valentis imperatoris, sese non depositis armis tradunt, et Thraciam ad inhabitandum accipiunt. Sed ubi viderunt se opprimi a Romanis contra consuetudinem propriae libertatis, ad rebellandum coacti sunt. Thraciam ferro incendiisque depopulantur, deletoque Romanorum exercitu, ipsum Valentem jaculo vulneratum, in quadam villa fugientem, succenderunt, ut merito ipse ab eis vivus temporali cremaretur incendio, qui tam pulchras animas ignibus aeternis tradiderat.

9 In the year 416, in the 14th year of the reign of Valens, the Goths, who had at first driven Christians from their land, in turn were themselves expelled by the Huns with their king Athanaric; having crossed the Danube, since they could not bring force against Emperor Valens, they surrendered without laying down their arms, and were received to inhabit Thrace. But when they saw themselves to be oppressed by the Romans contrary to their accustomed liberty, they were compelled to rebel. They desolated Thrace with sword and fire, and, the Roman army having been destroyed, Valens himself, wounded by a javelin and fleeing in a certain villa, they set alight, so that, as he deserved, he was burned alive by them with temporal fire, he who had delivered such fair souls to eternal fires.

10 Invenerunt autem eo praelio Gothi confessores priores Gothos, quos dudum propter fidem a terra sua expulerant, et voluerunt eos sibi ad praedae societatem conjungere. Qui, cum non acquievissent, aliquanti interfecti sunt. Alii, montuosa loca tenentes, et refugia sibi qualiacunque construentes, non solum perseveraverunt Christiani catholici, sed etiam in concordia Romanorum, a quibus dudum excepti fuerant, permanserunt.

10 In that battle the Goths encountered the earlier Goths, the confessors, whom long before for the faith they had driven from their land, and wished to join them to a partnership in plunder. Those who would not consent were in part killed. Others, holding mountainous places and building for themselves whatever refuges they could, not only did the Catholic Christians persevere, but also they remained in concord with the Romans, by whom they had long been received.

11 Aera CDXIX, anno imperii Theodosii Hispani III, Athanaricus cum Theodosio jus amicitiamque disponens, mox Constantinopolim pergit, ibique quinto decimo die postquam fuerat a Theodosio honorabiliter susceptus interiit. Gothi autem, proprio rege defuncto, aspicientes benignitatem Theodosii imperatoris, inito foedere, Romano se imperio tradiderunt et fuerunt cum Romanis XXVIII annis.

11 Year 419, in the third year of the reign of Theodosius the Spaniard: Athanaric, arranging a right and friendship with Theodosius, soon proceeds to Constantinople, and there on the fifteenth day after he had been honorably received by Theodosius he died. The Goths, their own king having died, seeing the benignity of Emperor Theodosius, having entered into a foedus, surrendered themselves to the Roman imperium and were with the Romans 28 years.

12 Aera CDXX, anno imperii Theodosii IV, Gothi, patrocinium Romani foederis recusantes, Alaricum regem sibi constituunt, indignum judicantes Romanae esse subditos potestati, eosque sequi, quorum jam pridem leges imperiumque respuerant, et de quorum se societate praelio triumphantes averterant.

12 420, in the 4th year of the reign of Theodosius: the Goths, refusing the protection of the Roman foedus, appoint Alaric as their king, judging it unworthy to be subjects to Roman potestas, and to follow those whose laws and imperium they had long before spurned, and whose company, after triumphing over them in battle, they had turned away.

13 Aera CDXXXVII, anno imperii Honorii et Arcadii quinto, Gothi, in Alarico et Radagaiso divisi, dum semetipsos in duabus regni partibus variis caedibus lacerarent, ob excidium Romanorum concordes effecti, consilium in commune constituunt, parique intentione ad praedandas quascunque regiones Italiae ab invicem dividuntur.

13 Year 437, in the 5th year of the reign of Honorius and Arcadius, the Goths, divided between Alaric and Radagaisus, while they were lacerating themselves in two parts of the kingdom with diverse slaughters, being made concordant for the destruction of the Romans, devised a common plan, and with like intent divided among themselves whatever regions of Italy were to be plundered.

14 Aera CDXLIII, anno Honorii et Arcadii XI, rex Gothorum Radagaisus, genere Scytha, cultui idololatriae deditus, barbaricae immanitatis feritate saevissimus, cum ducentis armatorum millibus Italiae partes vehementi vastatione aggreditur, spondens in contemptum Christi Romanorum sanguinem diis suis libare, si vinceret. Cujus exercitus, a Stilicone duce Romano in montuosis Thusciae locis circumclusus, fame est potius quam ferro consumptus. Ipse postremum rex captus et interfectus est.

14 Year 443, in the 11th year of Honorius and Arcadius, the king of the Goths Radagaisus, of Scythian stock, given to the cult of idolatry, most savage in the ferocity of barbarian cruelty, with two hundred thousand armed men attacked parts of Italy with violent devastation, promising, in contempt of Christ, to offer the blood of Romans to his gods if he should prevail. His army, surrounded by Stilicho the Roman commander in the mountainous places of Tuscia, was consumed by famine rather than by the sword. The king himself was at last captured and slain.

15 Aera CDXLVII, anno imperii Arcadii XV, exstincto Radagaiso, Alaricus consors regni, nomine quidem Christianus, sed professione haereticus, dolens tantam multitudinem Gothorum a Romanis exstinctam, in vindictam sanguinis suorum adversus Romam praelium gessit, obsessamque impetu, igne, gladiis, irrumpit, sicque Urbs cunctarum gentium victrix, Gothicis triumphis victa succubuit, eisque capta subjugataque servivit. Tam autem Gothi clementes ibi exstiterunt, ut votum antea darent, quod si ingrederentur Urbem, quicunque Romanorum in locis Christi inveniretur, in vastationem Urbis non mitteretur. Post hoc igitur votum, aggressi Urbem, omnibus et mors et captivitas indulta est, qui ad sanctorum limina confugerunt.

15 Aera 447, in the 15th year of the reign of Arcadius, Radagaisus having been destroyed, Alaric, partner of the kingdom, by name indeed Christian, but in profession a heretic, grieving that so great a multitude of Goths had been destroyed by the Romans, waged war against Rome in vengeance for the blood of his own, and bursting into the besieged city with assault, fire, and swords, thus the City, conqueror of all peoples, subdued by Gothic triumphs, yielded and served them, taken and subjugated. The Goths there, however, were so merciless that they beforehand vowed that if they entered the City, whoever of the Romans was found in places of Christ would not be spared from the devastation of the City. After this vow, therefore, having attacked the City, both death and captivity were dealt out to all who had fled to the thresholds of the saints.

Sed et qui extra loca martyrum erant, et nomen Christi et sanctorum nominaverunt, et ipsis simili misericordia pepercerunt.

But even those who were outside the places of the martyrs invoked both the name of Christ and of the saints, and spared them with similar mercy.

16 In reliquis autem, etsi praeda hostium patuit, feriendi tamen immanitas refrenata est. Incursantibus autem in illa vastitate per Urbem Gothis, dum quidam potens virginem consecratam aetate provectam reperisset, eamque honeste admoneret ut, si quid apud se auri argentique esset, proferret: illa fideli conscientia, quod habuit protulit; cumque ille vasorum formam et pulchritudinem ex illa antiqua Romanorum opulentia miraretur, virgo ait: Haec vasa mihi de sacrario Petri apostoli deposita sunt; praesume, si audes. Ego sacram hostiam dare non audeo. Gothus ille ad nomen apostoli magno pavore perterritus, regi hoc per nuntium refert, qui confestim rex reportari omnia ad sacrarium sancti Petri per virginem illam summa cum reverentia jussit, dicens: Cum Romanis gessi bellum, non cum apostolis Dei.

16 In the rest, although the spoil of the enemies lay open, yet the ferocity of striking was restrained. And as the Goths ran about in that devastation through the City, when a certain powerful man found an aged consecrated virgin, and courteously admonished her that, if she had any gold or silver with her, she should bring it forth: she, with a faithful conscience, produced what she had; and when he wondered at the form and beauty of the vessels from that ancient Roman opulence, the virgin said: These vessels were deposited with me from the sacrarium of the Apostle Peter; take them if you dare. I do not dare to give the sacred oblation. That Goth, greatly terrified at the name of the apostle, reported this to the king by messenger, who straightway ordered that all be returned to the sacrarium of Saint Peter by that virgin with the greatest reverence, saying: I waged war with the Romans, not with the apostles of God.

17 Redit igitur virgo reverentissimis officiis honorata, redeunt et cum illa omnes qui ei se sociaverant, super capita sua vasa illa aurea et argentea cum hymnis et canticis reportantes, exertis undique jussu regis ob defensionem armatorum custodiis. Concurrunt undique ad voces canentium de latipulis agmina Christianorum. Concurrunt etiam et pagani, atque admisti inter eos, dum servos Christi se esse fingunt, etiam et ipsi calamitatis excidium evaserunt.

17 The virgin therefore returned, honored with most reverent officies, and all who had associated themselves with her returned with her, bearing those gold and silver vessels upon their heads, bringing them back with hymns and canticles, the king’s command having posted armed guards everywhere for their defense. Bands of Christians ran together from all sides at the voices of those singing from the hiding-places. Pagans also ran together and mixed among them, and, while they feigned to be servants of Christ, even they escaped the destruction of the calamity.

18 Hac tempestate Gothi Placidiam Theodosii principis imperatoris filiam, Arcadii et Honorii imperatorum sororem, cum ingenti auri argent que thesauro Romae capiunt; adeptisque multis opibus Romanorum, tertia die, incensa eversaque in partibus Urbe, discedunt; inde conscensis navibus, cum ad Siciliam exiguo ab Italia freto divisam transire disponerent, infesto mari periclitati multum exercitum perdiderunt. Quibus tanta fuit gloria de Romanae urbis obtentu, ut in ejus comparatione nihil se mali passos tempestate illa arbitrarentur, damna naufragii eventu victoriae compensantes. Mors Alarici confestim secuta, vigesimo octavo regni anno defunctus est in Italia.

18 At that time the Goths seized Placidia, the daughter of Prince and Emperor Theodosius, the sister of Emperors Arcadius and Honorius, with a vast treasure of gold and silver in Rome; and having obtained many of the Romans’ riches, on the third day, the City being burned and overthrown in parts, they departed; then, having embarked on ships, when they were preparing to cross to Sicily, separated from Italy by a narrow strait, they were much put in peril by a hostile sea and lost a great part of their army. To them there was such glory from the plunder of the Roman city that, in comparison with it, they judged they had suffered no ill from that storm, the losses by shipwreck compensating for the victory. The death of Alaric followed immediately; he died in Italy in the 28th year of his reign.

19 Aera CDXLVIII, anno imperii Honorii XVII, et primo Theodosii Minoris, Alarico post captam Urbem defuncto, Athaulfus a Gothis Italiae regno praeficitur annis VI. Iste, quinto regni anno de Italia recedens, Gallias adiit, Placidiam Theodosii imperatoris filiam, quam Romae Gothi ceperant, conjugem sibi assumpsit. In qua prophetia Danielis a quibusdam creditur fuisse completa, qui ait filiam regis Austri conjungendam regi Aquilonis, nulla tamen de germine ejus sobole subsistente. Sicut, et idem in sequentibus propheta subjungit dicens: Nec stabit semen ejus. Nullus enim de utero illius exstitit genitus, qui patris in regno succederet.

19 In the year 448, in the 17th year of the reign of Honorius, and the first of Theodosius the Younger, after Alaric died following the capture of the City, Athaulfus was set over the kingdom of Italy by the Goths for 6 years. He, in the fifth year of his reign withdrawing from Italy, went into the Gauls, and took to himself as wife Placidia, the daughter of Emperor Theodosius, whom the Goths had captured at Rome. In this some believe the prophecy of Daniel to have been fulfilled, who says that the daughter of the king of the South would be joined to the king of the North, yet with no scion of his seed surviving. As likewise the same prophet adds in what follows, saying: Nec stabit semen ejus. For no one was born of her womb who would succeed his father in the kingdom.

Athaulfus autem dum, relictis Galliis, Hispanias peteret, a quodam suorum apud Barcinonam inter familiares fabulas jugulatur.

Athaulfus, however, while, having left Gaul, he was making for Spain, was slain by one of his men at Barcelona amid familiar tales.

20 Aera CDLIV, ann. imperii Honorii XXII post obitum Athaulfi, a Gothis Sigericus princeps electus est, qui, dum ad pacem cum Romanis esset promptissimus, mox a suis est interfectus.

20 In the year 454, in the 22nd year of the reign of Honorius, after the death of Athaulf, Sigeric was chosen prince by the Goths, who, while he was most eager for peace with the Romans, was soon slain by his own.

21 Aera et anno quo supra, Walia Sigerico succedens, tribus annis regnum tenuit, belli causa princeps a Gothis effectus, sed ad pacem divina providentia ordinatus, mox enim cum regnare coepit, foedus cum imperatore Honorio pepigit, Placidiam sororem ejus, quae a Gothis Romae capta fuerat, ei honorifice reddidit, promittens imperatori propter rempublicam omne certamen implendum. Itaque ad Hispanias per Constantium patricium evocatus, Romani nominis causa caedes magnas Barbaris intulit.

21 In the same era and year as above, Walia, succeeding Sigeric, held the kingdom for three years, made prince by the Goths for the cause of war, but by divine providence appointed to peace; for soon, when he began to reign, he concluded a treaty with Emperor Honorius, and honorably restored to him his sister Placidia, who had been taken at Rome by the Goths, promising the emperor, for the sake of the res publica, to undertake every contest. And so, summoned to Hispania by the patrician Constantius, he inflicted great slaughter on the Barbarians for the sake of the Roman name.

22 Wandalos Selinguos in Baetica omnes bello exstinxit. Alanos, qui Vandalis et Suevis potentabantur, adeo cecidit, ut exstincto Atace rege ipsorum, pauci qui superfuerant, oblito regni nomine, Gunderici regis Vandalorum, qui in Gallecia resederat, se regimini subjugarent. Confecto igitur Walia bello Hispaniae, dum instructa navali acie, in Africam transire disponeret, in freto Gaditani maris vi gravissimae tempestatis effractus, memor etiam illius sub Alarico naufragii, omisso navigationis periculo, relictis Hispaniis, Gallias repetit; dataque ei ab imperatore ob meritum victoriae secunda Aquitania cum quibusdam civitatibus confinium provinciarum usque ad Oceanum.

22 He destroyed all the Selingian Vandals in Baetica by war. The Alans, who had shared power with the Vandals and Suevi, fell so completely that, with their king Atace destroyed, the few who survived, having forgotten the name of their kingdom, submitted themselves to the rule of Gunderic, king of the Vandals, who had settled in Galicia. Therefore, Walia, the war in Hispania having been completed, while he was preparing to cross into Africa with a fleet drawn up, was shattered in the Strait of the Gaditanian sea by the force of a very severe storm; remembering also that shipwreck under Alaric, he, abandoning the danger of navigation, leaving behind the Spaniards, returned to the Gauls; and to him the emperor, in reward for that victory, granted the Second Aquitaine with certain border cities of the provinces as far as the Ocean.

23 Aera CDLVII, anno imperii Honorii XXV, Rege Walia defuncto, Theuderedus successit in regno annis XXXIII. Qui regno Aquitanico non contentus, pacis Romanae foedus recusat, pleraque municipia Romanorum vicina sedibus suis occupat, Arelas nobilissimum Galliae oppidum multa vi obsessum oppugnat. A cujus obsidione, imminente virtute Aetii Romanae militiae ducis, non impunitus abscedit.

23 Era 457, in the 25th year of the reign of Honorius, on the death of King Walia, Theuderedus succeeded to the kingdom for 33 years. Not content with the Aquitanian realm, he refused the treaty of Roman peace, seized many of the Romans’ neighboring municipia at their seats, and attacked Arelas, the most noble town of Gaul, besieging it with great force. From whose siege, with the power of Aetius, commander of the Roman militia, looming, he did not depart unpunished.

24 Remoto igitur Valentiniani imperatoris jussu a potestate militari Aetio, dum Theuderedus Narbonensi urbi diutina obsidione ac fame esset infestus, rursus a Litorio, Romanae militiae duce, Hunnis auxiliantibus, effugatur. Litorius autem, dum primum res prosperas adversus Gothos gessisset, denuo daemonum signis aruspicumque responsis deceptus, bellum cum Gothis imprudenter iniit, amissoque Romano exercitu, miserabiliter superatus interiit. Fecitque intelligi quantum illa quae cum eodem periit multitudo prodesse potuerit, si fide potius quam fallacibus daemoniorum ostentis uti maluisset.

24 Aetius therefore being removed from military power by the order of Emperor Valentinian, while Theuderedus was harassing the city of Narbo with a long siege and famine, is again rescued by Litorius, commander of the Roman militia, with the Huns aiding. Litorius, however, after at first having conducted prosperous operations against the Goths, being again deceived by the signs of demons and the responses of haruspices, imprudently began war with the Goths, and, the Roman army lost, was miserably overwhelmed and perished. And he showed how much that multitude which perished with him might have availed, had he preferred to make use of faith rather than of the deceitful ostentations of demons.

25 Exstincto igitur Litorio, pace deinde Theuderedus cum Romanis inita, denuo adversus Hunnos, Galliarum provincias saeva populatione vastantes, atque urbes plurimas evertentes, in campis Catalaunicis, auxiliante Aetio, duce Romano, aperto Marte conflixit, ibique praeliando victor occubuit. Gothi autem, dimicante Thurismundo, Theuderedi regis filio, adeo fortiter congressi sunt, ut inter primum praelium et postremum trecenta fere millia hominum in eo certamine prostrarentur.

25 Litorius therefore having been destroyed, and peace then made between Theuderedus and the Romans, again against the Huns, devastating the provinces of the Gauls with savage pillage and overturning very many cities, he engaged in open warfare on the Catalaunian fields, Aetius, the Roman dux, assisting, and there, fighting, though victorious, fell. The Goths, however, with Thurismund, son of King Theudered, fighting, so bravely encountered them that between the first battle and the last nearly 300,000 men were laid low in that contest.

26 Multa eodem tempore coeli et terrae signa praecesserunt, quorum prodigiis tam crudele bellum significaretur. Nam, assiduis terraemotibus factis, a parte Orientis luna fuscata est, a solis occasu stella cometes apparuit, atque ingenti magnitudine aliquandiu fulsit. Ab Aquilonis plaga coelum rubens, sicut ignis aut sanguis effectum est, permistis per igneum ruborem lineis clarioribus in speciem hastarum rutilantium deformatis.

26 At that same time many signs of heaven and earth preceded, by whose prodigies so cruel a war was announced. For, with continual earthquakes having occurred, the moon was darkened on the side of the East, from the sun’s setting a comet-star appeared, and for a while shone with vast magnitude. From the quarter of the North the sky grew red, as if made of fire or of blood, and through the fiery redness were distorted clearer streaks into the semblance of shining spears.

Nec mirum ut tam ingenti caesorum strage divinitus tam multa signorum demonstraretur ostensio.

Nor is it surprising that, with so vast a carnage of the slain, so many signs were divinely shown in a manifest display.

27 Hunni autem, usque ad internecionem pene caesi cum rege suo Athila, relictis Galliis, Italiam perfugiunt, aliquantis civitatibus irruptis. Qui et ibi partim fame, partim coelestibus plagis percussi, interierunt. Misso insuper a Marciano imperatore exercitu, forti plaga caeduntur, affectique nimium ac diminuti, sedes proprias repetunt, ad quas rex eorum Attila, mox, ut remeavit, occubuit.

27 The Huns, however, nearly cut down to internecine destruction with their king Athila, leaving Gaul, fled for refuge into Italy, with incursions into several cities. There they too, struck partly by famine, partly by celestial plagues, perished. Moreover, with an army sent by Emperor Marcian they were cut down by a powerful blow, and being overly afflicted and diminished, they returned to their own seats, to which their king Attila, soon, when he returned, succumbed.

28 Post ejus obitum Hunnorum gens proprio se insuper excidio devastavit. Statimque inter filios ejus de obtinendo regno magna sunt exorta certamina. Atque ita Hunni, qui tot cladibus antea diminuti fuerant, rursum mutuis sese gladiis conciderunt.

28 After his death the people of the Huns moreover brought themselves to destruction by their own ruin. And immediately among his sons great contests arose over obtaining the kingdom. And thus the Hunni, who had formerly been diminished by so many defeats, again fell upon one another and were cut down by mutual swords.

In quibus illud mirum est, ut, dum omne praelium detrimentum habeat populorum, isti vice versa cadendo proficiant. Sed proinde est quia in disciplinam fidelium positi sunt, sicut populus est gentis Persarum.

In these things that is wondrous, that, while every battle is a detriment to peoples, those men contrariwise profit by falling. But it is so because they have been placed into the discipline of the faithful, as the people of the nation of the Persians is.

29 Virga enim furoris Dei sunt, et quoties indignatio ejus adversus fideles procedit, per eos flagellantur, ut, eorum afflictionibus emendati, a saeculi cupiditate et peccato semetipsos coerceant, et coelestis regni haereditatem possideant. Adeo autem haec gens horrida est, ut cum famem in bello fuerit passa, venam tangat equi, et sic excludat hausto sanguine famem.

29 For they are the rod of God's furor, and whenever his indignation proceeds against the faithful, the faithful are scourged by them, so that, amended by their afflictions, they restrain themselves from the cupiditas of the world and from sin, and possess the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom. Moreover this people is so horrid that, when it has suffered famine in war, it will strike the vein of a horse, and thus, by the blood drawn, exclude hunger.

30 Aera CDXC, anno primo imperii Marciani, Turismundus, filius Theuderedi, provehitur ad regnum anno uno. Qui dum in ipsis regni sui exordiis feralis ac noxius hostilia inspiraret, et multa ageret insolentius, a Theuderico et Frigdarico fratribus est occisus.

30 Era 490, in the first year of the reign of Marcian, Turismundus, son of Theuderedus, was advanced to the kingdom in the first year. Who, while in the very onsets of his reign he breathed forth deadly and noxious hostilities, and acted very insolently in many things, was killed by his brothers Theuderic and Frigdaric.

31 Aera CDXCI, anno II imperii Marciani, Theudericus, post fraternam necem, in regnum succedens, imperavit annis XIII, qui pro eo quod imperatori Avito sumendi imperialis fastigii cum Gallis auxilium praebuisset, ab Aquitania in Hispaniam, cum ingenti multitudine exercitus, et cum licentia ejusdem Aviti imperatoris, ingreditur, anno regni quinto. Cui cum magna copia rex Suevorum Recchiarius occurrens, duodecimo ab Asturicensis urbis milliario, apud fluvium qui Urbicus appellatur, inito mox certamine, superatus est, caesis Suevorum agminibus, aliquantis captis, plurimisque fugatis. Ipse postremo rex telo saucius fugit, praesidioque suorum carens, ad locum Portucale capitur, regique Theuderico vivus offertur.

31 In the year 491, in the 2nd year of the reign of Marcian, Theuderic, succeeding to the kingdom after the fraternal slaughter, reigned for 13 years. And because he had, on behalf of Emperor Avitus, afforded the imperial dignity to be assumed with the Franks, he marched from Aquitaine into Hispania with a great multitude of troops and with the leave of that same Emperor Avitus, in the fifth year of his reign. But when the Suevic king Recchiarius, with a great force, met him twelve miles from the city of Asturica, by the river called Urbicus, and a contest was soon joined, he was overcome, the Suevic ranks being cut down, some taken, and very many put to flight. He himself at last, wounded by a spear, fled; lacking the protection of his men, he was taken at the place called Portucale and was delivered alive to King Theuderic.

32 Quo perempto, multis qui de priore certamine superfuerant sese tradentibus, aliquantis nihilominus trucidatis, regnum pene destructum est, finitumque Suevorum regnum. Reliqui autem Suevi qui remanserant in extrema parte Gallaeciae, Massilae filium, nomine Maldram, sibi regem constituunt: regnum reparatur Suevorum. Occiso Recchiario, Theudericus de Gallaecia ad Lusitaniam victor succedens, dum Emeritensem urbem depraedari moliretur, sanctae martyris Eulaliae ostentis perterritus, cum omni protinus exercitu discedit, et Gallias repetit.

32 With him slain, many of those who had survived from the prior engagement surrendered themselves, some nevertheless being slaughtered, the kingdom was nearly destroyed, and the Suevic kingdom brought to an end. The remaining Suevi who had remained in the utmost part of Gallaecia set up for themselves the son of Massila, named Maldram, as king: the Suevic kingdom was restored. With Recchiarius killed, Theudericus, victorious from Gallaecia and advancing into Lusitania, while he was attempting to plunder the city of Emerita, was terrified by the apparitions of the holy martyr Eulalia; he at once departed with his entire army and returned to the Gauls.

33 Mox deinde partem unam exercitus, duce Ceurila, ad Baeticam provinciam mittit, partem aliam sub Singerico et Nepotiano ducibus ad Gallaeciam dirigit, qui Suevos apud Lucum saeva depraedatione vastaverunt. In Galliis autem Agrippinus comes et civis, Aegidio comiti Romano aemulus, ut Gothorum mereretur auxilia, Narbonam tradidit Theuderico. Post aliquot legati a Remismundo Masdrae filio rege Suevorum missi, ad Theudericum venerunt, pacem amicitiamque poscentes.

33 Soon thereafter he sends one part of the army, with Ceurila as leader, to the province of Baetica, and directs another part under the commanders Singerico and Nepotiano to Gallaecia, who ravaged the Suevi near Lucus with cruel depredation. In Gaul, however, Agrippinus, a count and citizen, rival to the Roman count Aegidius, handed Narbonensis over to Theuderic so that he might deserve the assistance of the Goths. After a few, envoys sent by Remismund, son of Masdra, king of the Suevi, came to Theuderic, requesting peace and friendship.

Similiter Theudericus ad Remismundum remittit cum armorum adjectione, vel munerum, directa etiam conjuge, quam haberet. Sallanem quoque legatum denuo Theudericus mittit ad Remismundum. Qui, reversus ad Gallias, Theudericum ab Eurico fratre suo reperit interfectum.

Similarly Theudericus sends to Remismundus again with an addition of arms, or of presents, even sending his wife as well, whom he had. Theudericus also sends Sallan as envoy anew to Remismundus. He, having returned to the Gauls, found Theudericus slain by his brother Euric.

34 Aera DIV, ann. imperii Leonis VIII, Euricus pari scelere quo frater succedit in regnum ann. XVII.

34 Era 504, in the 8th year of the reign of Leo; Euricus, by the same crime as his brother, succeeds to the kingdom in the 17th year.

In quo honore provectus, et crimine, statim legatos ad Leonem imperatorem dirigit. Nec mora, partes Lusitaniae magno impetu depraedatur. Exercitum inde alium mittit, qui captam inde Pampilonam et Caesaraugustam, misso exercitu, capit, superiorem quoque Hispaniam in potestatem submittit.

Having been advanced to that honor, and on account of the crime, he at once directs legates to Emperor Leo. Without delay, he plunders parts of Lusitania with great fury. Thence he sends another army, which takes Pampilonam and Caesaraugustam, and likewise submits Upper Hispania to his power.

Tarraconensis etiam provinciae nobilitatem, quae ei repugnaverat, exercitus irruptione evertit. In Gallias autem reversus, Arelatum urbem et Massiliam bellando obtinuit, suoque regno utrasque adjecit.

He also overthrew the nobility of the province of Tarraconensis, which had resisted him, by an incursion of his army. But having returned into the Gauls, he gained the city of Arelate and Massilia by fighting, and annexed both to his kingdom.

35 Iste quodam die, congregatis in colloquio Gothis, tela quae omnes habebant in manibus, a parte ferri vel acie, alia viridi, alia roseo, alia croceo, alia nigro colore naturalem ferri speciem vidit aliquandiu habuisse mutatam. Sub hoc rege Gothi legum statuta in scriptis habere coeperunt, nam antea tantum moribus et consuetudine tenebantur. Obiit Arelati Euricus rex, morte propria defunctus.

35 One day, he, the Goths having been gathered in colloquy, saw that the weapons which all held in their hands — on the iron part or edge — for some while presented a changed, not their natural iron aspect, some green, some roseate, some saffron, some black in colour. Under this king the Goths began to have the statutes of the laws in writing, for before they were held only by mores and custom. At Arles King Euric died, having expired by his own death.

36 Aera DXXI, ann. X imperii Zenonis, Eurico mortuo, Alaricus, filius ejus, apud Tolosanam urbem princeps. Gothorum constituitur, regnans ann.

36 Era 521, in the 10th year of the reign of Zeno, on Euric's death Alaric, his son, at the city of Toulouse, is made prince. He is established king of the Goths, reigning 1 year.

XXIII, adversus quem Fludujus Francorum princeps Galliae regnum affectans, Burgundionibus sibi auxiliantibus, bellum movet, fusisque Gothorum copiis, ipsum postremo regem apud Pictavium superatum interficit. Theudericus autem Italiae rex, dum interitum generi comperisset, confestim ab Italia proficiscitur, Francos proterit, partem regni, quam manus hostium occupaverat, recepit, Gothorum juri restituit.

23, against whom Fludujus, prince of the Franks, coveting the kingdom of Gaul, with the Burgundians assisting him, wages war, and, the Gothic forces having been routed, finally kills the king himself at Pictavium overcome. Theuderic, however, king of Italy, when he learned of the death of his son‑in‑law, at once set out from Italy, drove off the Franks, recovered the part of the kingdom which the enemy’s hands had occupied, and restored it to the law/right of the Goths.

37 Aera DXLV, ann. XVII imperii Anastasii, Gisaleicus, superioris regis filius ex concubina creatus, Narbonae princeps efficitur, regnans annos quatuor; sicut genere vilissimus, ita infelicitate et ignavia summus. Denique dum eadem civitas a Gundebado Burgundionum rege direpta fuisset, iste cum multo sui dedecore, et cum magna suorum clade, apud Barcinonam se contulit, ibique moratus quousque etiam regni fascibus a Theuderico fugae ignominia privaretur.

37 Era 545, year 17 of the reign of Anastasius, Gisaleicus, son of the former king by a concubine, was made princeps at Narbo, reigning four years; as he was most base in birth, so he was supreme in misfortune and sloth. Finally, when that same city had been plundered by Gundebad, king of the Burgundians, he withdrew to Barcinona with much dishonor and with great slaughter of his people, and there remained until he was even deprived by Theuderic of the fasces of the kingdom by the ignominy of flight.

38 Inde profectus ad Africam, Vandalorum suffragium poscit, quo in regnum posset restitui. Qui, dum non impetrasset auxilium, mox de Africa rediens, ob metum Theuderici Aquitaniam petiit, ibique anno uno delitescens, in Hispaniam revertitur, atque a Theuderici regis duce duodecimo a Barcinona urbe milliario, commisso praelio superatus, in fugam vertitur, captusque trans fluvium Druentium Galliarum interiit, sicque prius honorem, postea vitam amisit.

38 Thence setting out for Africa, he sought the suffrage of the Vandals, by which he might be restored to the kingdom. He, when he had not obtained aid, soon returning from Africa, through fear of Theuderic sought Aquitaine, and there, lying hidden for one year, he returns to Spain; and by Theuderic's duke, twelve miles from the city of Barcinona, a battle having been joined, he was overcome, put to flight, and, captured beyond the river Druentium of the Gauls, perished; and so first he lost his honor, afterward his life.

39 Aera DXLIX, anno XXI imperii Anastasii, Theudericus Junior, cum jamdudum consul et rex a Zenone imperatore Romae creatus fuisset, peremptoque Odouacro rege Ostrogothorum, atque devicto fratre ejus Honoulfo et trans confinia Danubii effugato, XLIX annis in Italia regnasset, rursus exstincto Gisaleico rege Gothorum, Hispaniae regnum XV annis obtinuit, quod superstes Amalarico nepoti suo reliquit. Inde Italiam repetens, aliquandiu omni cum prosperitate regnavit, per quem etiam urbi Romae dignitas non parva est restituta. Muros namque ejus iste redintegravit, cujus rei gratia a Senatu inauratam statuam meruit.

39 In the year 549, in the 21st year of the reign of Anastasius, Theuderic the Younger, who long before had been created consul and king at Rome by Emperor Zeno, with Odoacer, king of the Ostrogoths, having been slain, and his brother Honoulf defeated and driven beyond the confines of the Danube, had reigned 49 years in Italy; then, with Gisaleic king of the Goths again extinct, he obtained the kingdom of Spain for 15 years, which he left to his survivor Amalaric, his grandson. Thence returning to Italy, he reigned for a while with every prosperity, by whose agency also no small dignity was restored to the city of Rome. For he renewed its walls, and for this service merited from the Senate a gilded statue.

40 Aera DLXIV, ann. imperii Justiniani I, Regresso in Italiam Theuderico, et ibidem defuncto, Amalaricus nepos ejus V annis regnavit. Qui, cum a Childeberto Francorum rege apud Narbonam praelio superatus fuisset, ad Barcinonam trepidus fugit, effectusque omnium contemptibilis, ab exercitu jugulatus Narbonae in foro interiit.

40 In the year 564, in the year of the reign of Justinian 1, on Theuderic's return into Italy, and with him having died there, Amalaric, his nephew, reigned 5 years. He, when he had been overcome in battle by Childebert, king of the Franks, near Narbonne, fled in alarm to Barcelona, and, having become contemptible to all, was slain by the army and died in the forum at Narbonne.

41 Aera DLXIX, anno imperii Justiniani VI, post Amalaricum Theudis in Hispania creatus, in regnum annis XVII, mensibus V, qui dum esset haereticus, pacem tamen concessit Ecclesiae. Adeo ut licentiam catholicis episcopis daret in unum apud Toletanam urbem convenire, et quaecunque ad Ecclesiae disciplinam necessaria exstitissent, libere licenterque disponere. Eo regnante, dum Francorum reges cum infinitis copiis in Hispaniam convenissent, et Tarraconensem provinciam bello depopularent, Gothi, duce Theudisclo, obicibus Hispaniae interclusis, Francorum exercitum multa cum admiratione victoriae prostraverunt.

41 Aera 569, in the year of the reign of Justinian 6, after Amalaric, Theudis was made king in Hispania, and he reigned in the kingdom 17 years, 5 months; who, though he was a heretic, nevertheless granted peace to the Church. So much so that he gave licence to the catholic bishops to assemble together at the Toletan city, and to freely and lawfully dispose of whatever things had been necessary for the discipline of the Church. In his reign, when the kings of the Franks had come into Hispania with infinite forces and were devastating the Tarraconense province by war, the Goths, with Theudisclo as leader, the passes of Spain being shut, overthrew the Frankish army to great admiration of the victory.

Dux idem, prece atque ingenti pecunia sibi oblata, viam fugae hostibus residuis unius diei noctisque spatio praebuit. Caetera infelicium turba, cui transitus collati temporis non occurrit, Gothorum perempta gladiio concidit.

The same leader, by entreaty and a great sum of money offered him, provided a way of escape from the remaining enemies for the space of one day and one night. The rest of the unhappy throng, to whom a passage of the allotted time did not present itself, fell, cut down by the sword of the Goths.

42 Post tam felicis successum victoriae, transfretum inconsulte Gothi se gesserunt. Denique, dum adversus milites, qui Septem oppidum, pulsis Gothis, invaserant, Oceani freta transissent, idemque castrum magna vi certaminis expugnarent, adveniente die Dominico, deposuerunt arma, ne diem sacrum praelio funestarent. Hac igitur occasione reperta, milites repentino incursu aggressi, exercitum mari undique terraque conclusum, ignavum atque inermem adeo prostraverunt, ut ne unus quidem superesset qui tantae cladis excidium praeteriret.

42 After so fortunate a success of victory, the Goths rashly undertook the sea‑crossing. Finally, while against the soldiers who, having routed the Goths, had invaded the town of Septem, they had crossed the oceanic straits and were storming that same fortress with great force of conflict, on the coming Lord’s Day they laid down their arms, lest they make the sacred day fatal by battle. This occasion thus found, the soldiers, attacking by a sudden onset, routed the army, shut in on every side by sea and by land, so utterly cowardly and unarmed that not even one survived to escape the ruin of so great a slaughter.

43 Nec mora, praevenit mors debita principem. Vulneratur enim a quodam in palatio, qui jamdudum dementis speciem, ut regem deciperet, simulaverat. Finxit enim arte insaniam, perfoditque principem, quo vulnere ille prostratus occubuit, et vi gladii indignantem animam exhalavit.

43 Nor was there delay: death, owed to the prince, anticipated him. For he is wounded by a certain man in the palace, who had long been simulating the appearance of madness, in order to deceive the king. He feigned insanity by craft, and he pierced the prince, by which wound he, prostrate, fell and, by the force of the sword, breathed out his indignant soul.

Fertur autem inter effusionem sanguinis conjurasse ne quis interficeret percussorem, dicens se congruam meriti recepisse vicissitudinem, quod et ipse privatus ducem suum sollicitatus occiderat.

It is reported, moreover, that in the midst of the effusion of blood he conspired that no one should kill the assailant, saying that he had received a fitting vicissitude of deserved reward, for he himself, a private man, had—when instigated—killed his own leader.

44 Aera DLXXXVI, ann. imper. Justiniani XXIII, interempto Theudi Theudisclus superioris principis dux Gothis praeficitur, regnans ann.

44 Era 586, in the 23rd year of the reign of Emperor Justinian; with Theudi having been slain, Theudisclus, of the foregoing prince, is appointed duke over the Goths, reigning [years].

I, menses III, qui dum plurimorum potentum connubia prostitutione publica macularet, et ob haec instrueret animum ad necem multorum, praeventus conjuratorum manu Hispali inter epulas jugulatur, confossusque gladio exstinguitur.

I, month 3, who, while by public prostitution he defiled the marriages of very many potentates, and on this account roused the mind to the murder of many, being anticipated by the hand of conspirators, is slaughtered at banquets in Hispalis, and, having been pierced with a sword, is extinguished.

45 Aera DLXXXVII, imper. Justiniani XXIV, exstincto Theudisclo, Agila rex constituitur regnans ann. V. Iste adversus Cordubensem urbem praelium movens, dum in contemptum catholicae religionis beatissimi martyris Aciscli injuriam inferret, hostiumque ac jumentorum cruore sacrum sepulcri ejus locum, ut profanator, pollueret, inito adversus Cordubenses cives certamine, poenas dignas, sanctis inferentibus, meruit.

45 Era 587, in the 24th year of Emperor Justinian, after Theudisclus was put to death, Agila was established king, reigning year 5. This man, making war against the Cordoban city, while in contempt of the Catholic religion he dealt injury to the most blessed martyr Acisclus, and, as a profaner, polluted the sacred place of his sepulchre with the blood of enemies and of beasts of burden, having begun a contest against the citizens of Cordoba, merited worthy punishments for the injuries inflicted upon the saints.

Nam belli praesentis ultione percussus, et filium ibi cum copia exercitus interfectum amisit, et thesaurum omnem cum insignibus opibus perdidit.

For struck by the vengeance of the present war, he lost there his son, slain with a great body of the army, and he lost the entire treasury with its conspicuous riches.

46 Ipse victus, ac miserabili metu fugatus, Emeritam se recepit. Adversus quem interjecto aliquanti temporis spatio, Athanagildus tyrannidem regnandi cupiditate arripiens, dum exercitum ejus contra se Hispali missum virtute militari prostrasset, videntes Gothi proprio se everti excidio, et magis metuentes ne Hispaniam milites Romani auxilii occasione invaderent, Agilanem Emeritae interficiunt, et Athanagildi sese regimini tradiderunt.

46 He himself, defeated and driven off by miserable fear, withdrew to Emerita. Against him, after some interval of time had passed, Athanagild, seizing the tyranny of ruling in a desire to reign, while he had overthrown by military valor the army sent against him to Hispalis, the Goths, seeing themselves about to be overturned to destruction, and more fearing that Roman soldiers might invade Spain under the pretext of aid, killed Agila at Emerita, and delivered themselves to the rule of Athanagild.

47 Aera DXCII, anno imper. Justiniani XXIX, occiso Agilane, Athanagildus regnum quod invaserat tenuit ann. XIV.

47 Era 592, in the 29th year of the reign of Justinian, with Agila slain, Athanagild held the kingdom which he had seized for 14 years.

Hic cum jamdudum sumpta tyrannide, Agilanem regno privare conaretur, militum sibi auxilia ab imperatore Justiniano poposcerat, quos postea submovere a finibus regni molitus non potuit. Adversus quos hucusque conflictum est. Frequentibus antea praeliis caesi, nunc vero multis casibus fracti atque finiti.

Here, having long since assumed the tyranny and attempting to deprive Agila of the kingdom, he had demanded military auxiliaries from the emperor Justinian for himself, whom afterwards, when he strove to remove them from the borders of the kingdom, he could not. Against whom there has been conflict up to now. Previously cut down in frequent battles, now indeed shattered and brought to an end by many disasters.

Decessit autem Athanagildus Toleti propria morte, vacante regno mensibus V.

Athanagild, however, died at Toledo by his own death, the kingdom remaining vacant for 5 months.

48 Aera DCV, ann. II imperii Justini Minoris, post Athanagildum Liuva Narbone Gothis praeficitur, regnans ann. III, qui secundo anno, postquam adeptus est principatum, Leovigildum fratrem non solum successorem, sed et participem regni sibi constituit, Hispaniaeque administrationi praefecit, ipse Galliae regno contentus.

48 605, in the 2nd year of the reign of Justin II, after Athanagild Liuva was set over Narbonne by the Goths, ruling 3 years, who in the second year, after he had obtained the principate, constituted his brother Leovigild not only successor but also partner of the kingdom to himself, and entrusted the administration of Spain to him, he himself being content with the kingdom of Gaul.

Sicque regnum duos cepit, dum nulla potestas patiens consortis sit. Huic autem unus tantum annus in ordine temporum reputatur Liuvae regis, reliqui Leovigildo fratri annumerantur.

And so he took the kingdom for two, since no power is patient of a consort. To him, however, only one year is reckoned in the chronological order of King Liuva; the remaining years are counted to his brother Leovigild.

49 Aera DCVI, ann. III imper. Justini Minoris, Leovigildus adeptus Hispaniae et Galliae principatum, ampliare regnum bello et augere opes statuit.

49 In the year 606, in the 3rd year of the reign of Justin the Younger, Leovigild, having obtained the principate of Spain and Gaul, resolved to enlarge the kingdom by war and to augment its opes.

Studio quippe ejus exercitus, concordante favore, victoriarum, multa praeclare sortitus est. Cantabros namque iste obtinuit, Aregiam iste cepit, Sabaria ab eo omnis devicta est, cesserunt etiam armis illius plurimae rebelles Hispaniae urbes. Fudit quoque diverso praelio milites, et quaedam castra ab eis occupata dimicando recepit.

By the zeal of his army, with favor concurring, he won many splendid victories. For he subdued the Cantabrians, he took Aregia, all Sabaria was conquered by him, and very many rebellious cities of Spain yielded to his arms. He routed soldiers in a separate battle, and by fighting he recovered certain camps that had been occupied by them.

Hermenegildum deinde filium imperiis suis tyrannizantem, obsessum exsuperavit. Postremum bellum Suevis intulit, regnumque eorum in jura gentis suae mira celeritate transmisit. Hispania magna ex parte potitus.

He then overcame Hermenegild, his son, who, tyrannizing against his commands, having been besieged was routed. At last he waged war upon the Suevi, and transferred their kingdom into the laws of his own gens with wondrous celerity. He became master of a great part of Hispania.

Nam antea gens Gothorum angustis finibus arctabatur, sed offuscavit in eo error impietatis gloriam tantae virtutis.

For formerly the nation of the Goths was confined within narrow bounds, but therein the error of impiety dimmed the glory of so great virtue.

50 Denique Arianae perfidiae furore repletus, in catholicos persecutione commota, plurimos episcoporum exsilio relegavit. Ecclesiarum reditus et privilegia abstulit, multos quoque terroribus in Arianam pestilentiam impulit, plerosque sine persecutione illectos auro rebusque decepit. Ausus quoque inter caetera haeresis suae contagia etiam rebaptizare catholicos, et non solum ex plebe, sed etiam ex sacerdotalis ordinis dignitate, sicut Vincentium Caesaraugustanum, de episcopo apostatam factum, et tanquam a coelo in infernum projectum.

Finally, filled with the fury of Arian perfidy, moved to persecution against the Catholics, he banished very many of the bishops into exile. He stripped away the revenues and privileges of the churches, and by terrors drove many into the Arian pestilence; he deceived very many, enticed without persecution, with gold and goods. He also dared, among the other contagions of his heresy, even to rebaptize Catholics, and not only from the laity but even from the dignity of the sacerdotal order — as Vincentius of Caesaraugusta, made an apostate from the episcopate, and as if hurled from heaven into hell.

51 Exstitit autem et quibusdam suorum perniciosus, nam quoscunque nobilissimos ac potentissimos vidit, aut capite truncavit, aut, opibus ablatis, proscripsit, et proscriptos in exsilium misit. Fiscum quoque primus iste locupletavit, primusque aerarium de rapinis civium hostiumque manubiis auxit. Primusque etiam inter suos regali veste opertus in solio resedit.

51 He was also pernicious to some of his own, for whomever of the most noble and most powerful he saw, he either beheaded, or, with their resources taken away, proscribed, and sent the proscribed into exile. Moreover this man first enriched the fisc, and first increased the aerarium from the plunder of citizens and of enemies. And first also among his own, clad in royal vesture, he sat upon the throne.

Nam ante eum, et habitus et consessus communis ut populo ita et regibus erat. Condidit etiam civitatem in Celtiberia, quam ex nomine filii, Recopolim nominavit. In legibus quoque ea quae ab Eurico incondite constituta videbantur, correxit, plurimas leges praetermissas adjiciens, plerasque superfluas auferens.

For before him both attire and the common seating were alike for the people and for the kings. He also founded a city in Celtiberia, which he named Recopolis from the name of his son. In the laws likewise those things which had been inartfully constituted by Euric he corrected, adding very many laws that had been passed over, and removing most that were superfluous.

Regnavit autem ann. XVIII, defunctus propria morte Toleti.

He reigned, moreover, 18 years, and died a natural death at Toledo.

52 Aera DCXXIV, ann. III imper. Mauricii, Leovigildo defuncto, filius ejus Recaredus regno est coronatus, cultu praeditus religionis, et paternis moribus longe dissimilis.

52 Era 624, in the 3rd year of Emperor Maurice; with Leovigild dead, his son Recaredus was crowned to the kingdom, endowed with the practice of religion, and in paternal manners far unlike his father.

Namque ille irreligiosus, et bello promptissimus, hic fide pius et pace praeclarus; ille armorum artibus gentis imperium dilatans, hic gloriosus eamdem gentem fidei trophaeo sublimans. In ipsis enim regni sui exordiis catholicam fidem adeptus totius Gothicae gentis populos, inoliti erroris labe deserta, ad cultum rectae fidei revocat.

For that one irreligious and most ready in war, this one pious in faith and distinguished in peace; that one, extending the nation’s empire by the arts of arms, this one glorious, uplifting the same nation with the trophy of faith. For in the very beginnings of his reign, having embraced the Catholic faith, he recalls the peoples of the whole Gothic nation, deserted the ingrained stain of error, to the cult of the right faith.

53 Synodum deinde episcoporum ad condemnationem Arianae haeresis, de diversis Hispaniae et Galliae provinciis congregat. Cui concilio idem religiosissimus princeps interfuit, gestaque ejus praesentia sua et subscriptione firmavit, abdicans cum omnibus suis perfidiam, quam hucusque Gothorum populus, Ario docente, didicerat, et praedicans trium personarum unitatem in Deum, Filium a Patre consubstantialiter genitum esse, Spiritum sanctum inseparabiliter a Patre Filioque procedere, et esse amborum unum Spiritum, unde et unum sunt.

53 He then convened a synod of bishops for the condemnation of the Arian heresy, gathered from various provinces of Hispania and Gaul. To this council the same most religious prince was present, and he confirmed its acts by his presence and subscription, renouncing with all his people the perfidy which hitherto the Gothic people, Arius teaching, had learned, and proclaiming the unity of three persons in God: that the Son was begotten consubstantially by the Father, that the Holy Spirit proceeds inseparably from the Father and the Son, and is the one Spirit of both, whence they are one.

54 Egit etiam gloriose bellum adversus infestas gentes fidei suscepto auxilio. Francis enim sexaginta ferme millium armatorum copiis Gallias irruentibus, misso Claudio duce adversus eos, glorioso triumphavit eventu. Nulla unquam in Hispaniis Gothorum victoria, vel major in bello, vel similis exstitit.

54 He also waged war gloriously against peoples hostile to the faith, with the aid of the faith undertaken. For the Franks, with forces of almost sixty thousand armed men rushing into Gaul, having sent Claudius as leader against them, he triumphed with a glorious outcome. Never before in the Hispaniæ was there a Gothic victory either greater in war or like it.

Prostrati sunt enim et capti multa millia hostium, residua vero exercitus pars, praeter spem in fugam versa, Gothis post tergum insequentibus, usque in regni sui finibus caesa est. Saepe etiam et lacertos contra Romanorum insolentias et irruptiones Vasconum movit. Unde non magis bella tractasse, quam potius gentem, quasi in palaestrae ludo, pro uso certaminis videtur exercuisse.

For many thousands of the enemy were laid low and captured, and the remaining part of the army, turned into flight beyond hope, was cut down as the Goths pursued from the rear even to the bounds of his kingdom. He likewise oftener moved bands against the Romans’ insolences and the incursions of the Vascones. Whence he seems not so much to have conducted wars as rather to have exercised the people, as in the palaestra’s play, for the practice of contest.

55 Provincias autem quas pater bello conquisivit, iste pace conservavit, aequitate disposuit, moderamine rexit. Fuit autem placidus, mitis, egregiae bonitatis; tantamque in vultu gratiam habuit, et tantam in animo benignitatem gessit, ut omnium mentibus influens, etiam malos ad affectum amoris sui attraheret. Adeo liberalis, ut opes privatorum, et Ecclesiarum praedia, quae paterna labes fisco associaverat, juri proprio restauraret.

55 The provinces, however, which his father had acquired by war, he preserved by peace, disposed by equity, and governed with moderation. He was placid, mild, of singular goodness; and he carried so much grace in his countenance, and so much benignity in his spirit, that, flowing into the minds of all, he drew even the wicked to an affection for his love. So liberal was he that he restored private riches and the estates of the Churches, which paternal devastation had attached to the fiscus, to their proper legal ownership.

Adeo clemens, ut populi tributa saepe indulgentiae largitione laxaret.

56 Multos etiam ditavit rebus, plurimos sublimavit honoribus. Opes suas in miseris, thesauros suos in egenis recondens, sciens ad haec illi fuisse collatum regnum, ut eo salubriter frueretur, bonis initiis bonum finem adeptus. Fidem enim rectae gloriae, quam initio regni percepit, novissime publica confessione poenitentiae cumulavit.

56 He enriched many with possessions, he exalted very many with honors. Hiding his wealth among the miserable, his treasures among the needy, knowing that the kingdom had been conferred on him for these purposes, that he might use it salutarily, he won a good end from good beginnings. For the faith of true glory, which he perceived at the beginning of his reign, he at last completed by a public confession of penitence.

Toleti fine pacifico transiit, qui regnavit annos XV.

He passed away at Toledo with a peaceful end, he who reigned 15 years.

57 Aera DCXXXIX, an. imperii Mauricii XIX, post Recaredum regem regnat Liuva filius ejus an. II, ignobili quidem matre progenitus, sed virtutis in dole insignitus. Quem in primo flore adolescentiae Wictericus, sumpta tyrannide, innocuum regno dejecit, praecisaque dextra occidit anno aetatis XX, regni vero II.

57 Era 639, in the 19th year of the reign of Maurice; after King Recaredus, Liuva his son reigned 2 years, born of an ignoble mother, yet distinguished by an innate quality of virtue. Whom, in the first flower of youth, Wictericus, having assumed tyranny, deposed from the kingdom while harmless, and—his right hand cut off—slew in the 20th year of his life, and in the 2nd year of his reign.

58 Aera DCXLI, an. imp. Mauricii XXI, exstincto Liuvane, Wictericus regnum, quod vivente illo invaserat, vindicat ann. VII.

58 In the year 641, in the 21st year of the reign of Maurice, with Liuva dead, Wictericus reclaimed the kingdom which he had invaded while the latter was living, and held it for 7 years.

Vir quidem strenuus in armorum arte, sed tamen expers victoriae. Namque adversus militem Romanum praelium saepe molitus, nihil satis gloriose gessit praeter quod milites quosdam Segontiae per duces obtinuit. Hic in vita plurima illicita fecit, in morte autem, quia gladio operatus fuerat, gladio periit.

A man indeed vigorous in the art of arms, but yet devoid of victory. For although he often undertook battle against the Roman soldier, he won nothing sufficiently glorious except that he secured some soldiers of Segontia through commanders. This man in life committed very many illicit acts; in death, however, because he had used a sword, he perished by a sword.

Mors quippe innocentis inulta in illo non fuit: inter epulas enim prandii conjuratione quorumdam est interfectus, corpus ejus viliter est exportatum atque sepultum.

For indeed the death of the innocent in that matter was not left unpunished: for he was slain among the banquets of a meal by the conspiracy of certain men, and his body was contemptibly carried off and buried.

59 Aera DCXLIIX, an. imp. Phocatis octavo, Gundemarus post Wictericum regnat an. II. Hic Vascones una expeditione vastavit, alia militem Romanum obsedit. Morte propria Toleti decessit.

59 Year 648, in the 8th year of Emperor Phocas; Gundemar reigns after Wicteric, in his 2nd year. He devastated the Vascones in one expedition, in another besieged the Roman soldiery. He died a natural death at Toledo.

60 Aera DCL, an. imperii Heraclii II. Sisebutus christianissimus post Gundemarum, ad regale fastigium evocatur, regnat ann. VIII, mens. VI; qui initio regni Judaeos ad fidem Christianam permovens, aemulationem quidem habuit, sed non secundum scientiam; potestate enim compulit quos provocare fidei ratione oportuit.

60 Year 650, in the 2nd year of the empire of Heraclius. Sisebutus, most Christian, after Gundemar is summoned to the royal height, and reigns 8 years, 6 months; who, at the beginning of his reign, moving the Jews to the Christian faith, indeed had zeal, but not according to knowledge; for by power he compelled those whom it behooved to win over by the reason of faith.

Sed, sicut est scriptum, sive per occasionem, sive per veritatem, donec Christus annuntiatur. Fuit autem eloquio nitidus, sententia doctus, scientia litterarum magna ex parte imbutus. In judiciis justitia et pietate strenuus ac praestantissimus, mente benignus, splendore regni praecipuus, in bellicis quoque documentis ac victoriis clarus.

But, as it is written, whether by occasion or by truth, until Christ is proclaimed. He was moreover polished in eloquence, learned in judgment, and largely imbued with the knowledge of letters. In judgments he was vigorous and most outstanding in justice and piety, kind of mind, preeminent in the splendor of his reign, and likewise illustrious in military doctrines and victories.

61 Astures enim rebellantes, misso exercitu, in ditionem suam reduxit. Ruccones montibus arduis undique conseptos per duces evicit. De Romanis quoque praesens bis feliciter triumphavit, et quasdam eorum urbes expugnando sibi subjecit, residuas inter fretum omnes exinanivit, quas gens Gothorum post in ditionem suam facile redegit.

61 For the Astures, having revolted, he, after sending an army, restored to his dominion. He subdued the Ruccones, shut in on all sides by steep mountains, through his commanders. He likewise, in person, twice victoriously triumphed over the Romans, and by storming subjected certain of their cities to himself; he utterly laid waste all the remaining towns among the strait, which the people of the Goths afterwards easily brought back into their rule.

Adeo post victoriam clemens, ut multos ab exercitu suo hostili praeda in servitutem redactos, pretio dato, absolveret, ejusque thesaurus redemptio existeret captivorum. Hunc alii proprio morbo, alii immoderato medicamenti haustu, alii veneno asserunt interfectum. Cujus exitus non modo religiosis, sed etiam optimis laicis exstitit luctuosus.

Thus after the victory he was so clement that he released many who had been reduced by his army to servitude as hostile spoil, payment having been made, and the ransom of captives became his treasury. Some assert that he was killed by his own disease, others by an immoderate draught of medicine, others by poison. The death of him proved sorrowful not only for the religious but also for the best laity.

Relicto Recaredo filio parvulo, qui post patris obitum princeps paucorum dierum, morte interveniente, habetur.

Recaredus having been left behind a little son, who, after his father's death, is reckoned to have been prince for a few days, his death intervening.

62 Aera DCLIX, ann. imperii Heraclii X, gloriosissimus Suintila gratia divina regni suscepit sceptra. Iste sub rege Sisebuto ducis nactus officium, Romana castra perdomavit, Ruccones superavit.

62 Year 659, in the 10th year of the reign of Heraclius, the most glorious Suintila by divine grace took up the scepters of the kingdom. He, having received the office of duke under King Sisebut, utterly subdued the Roman camps and overcame the Ruccones.

Postquam vero apicem fastigii regalis conscendit, urbes residuas quas in Hispaniis Romana manus agebat, praelio conserto obtinuit, auctamque triumphi gloriam prae caeteris regibus felicitate mirabili reportavit. Totius Hispaniae infra Oceani fretum monarchia regni primus idem potitus, quod nulli retro principum est collatum. Auxit eo praelio virtutis ejus titulum duorum patritiorum obtentus, quorum alterum prudentia suum fecit, alterum virtute praelii sibi subjecit.

After he had ascended the apex of the royal summit, he took possession, the battle having been joined, of the remaining cities in the Spains which the Roman hand administered, and he carried off an increased glory of triumph above other kings with marvelous felicity. He was the first likewise to obtain the monarchy of the kingdom of all Hispania beneath the Oceanic strait, a dignity bestowed on no prior prince. By that same battle he augmented the title of his virtue with the acquisition of two patricians: one he made his by prudence, the other he subdued to himself by the virtue of arms.

63 Habuit quoque et initio regni expeditionem contra incursus Vasconum Tarraconensem provinciam infestantium, ubi adeo montivagi populi terrore adventus ejus perculsi sunt, ut confestim, quasi debita jura noscentes, remissis telis et expeditis ad precem manibus, supplices ei colla submitterent, obsides darent, Ologitin civitatem Gothorum stipendiis suis et laboribus conderent, pollicentes ejus regno ditionique parere, et quidquid imperaretur efficere.

63 He also undertook, at the beginning of his reign, an expedition against the incursions of the Vascones afflicting the Tarraconensian province, where the mountain-roving peoples were so struck with terror at his arrival that immediately, as if acknowledging their owed obligations, having cast aside their weapons and with hands free for entreaty, they suppliantly submitted their necks to him, gave hostages, founded the Gothic city of Ologitin with their tributes and labors, promising to obey his kingdom and dominion and to accomplish whatever was commanded.

64 Praeter has militaris gloriae laudes plurimae in eo regiae majestatis virtutes, fides, prudentia, industria, in judiciis examinatio, strenua in regendo regno cura, praecipua circa omnes munificentia largus, erga indigentes et inopes misericordia satis promptus. Ita ut non solum princeps populorum, sed etiam pater pauperum vocari sit dignus.

64 Besides these praises of military glory, very many virtues of royal majesty were in him: faith, prudence, industry, a careful examination in judgments, a strenuous care in governing the kingdom, especially liberal munificence toward all, and mercy sufficiently ready toward the needy and the poor. So that he was worthy to be called not only prince of the peoples, but also father of the poor.

65 Hujus filius Racimirus in consortium regni assumptus, pari cum patre solio conlaetatur, in cujus infantia ita sacrae indolis splendor emicat, ut in eo et meritis et vultu paternarum virtutum effigies praenotetur. Pro quo exorandus est coeli atque humani generis rector, ut sicut exstat concessu patrio socius, ita post longaevum parentis imperium sit et regni successione dignissimus. Computatis igitur Gothorum regum temporibus ab exordio Athanarici regis, usque ad quintum gloriosissimi Suintilae principis annum, regnum Gothorum per annos CCLVI, Deo favente, reperitur esse porrectum.

65 His son Racimirus, received into the consortium of the kingdom, rejoices with his father upon the throne, in whose infancy the splendor of a sacred disposition so shines forth that in him both by merits and by countenance the effigy of paternal virtues is foreshown. For him the ruler of heaven and of the human race must be entreated, that just as he already stands a partner by paternal concession, so after the long‑lived rule of his parent he may be most deserving of succession to the kingdom. Therefore, the times of the Gothic kings having been reckoned from the beginning of King Athanaric up to the fifth year of the most glorious prince Suintila, the kingdom of the Goths is found to have been extended for 256 years, God favoring.

Item recapitulatio ejusdem Isidori in Gothorum laudem.

Also a recapitulation by the same Isidore in praise of the Goths.

66 Gothorum antiquissima origo de Magog filio Japhet fuit, unde et Scytharum genus exstitit. Nam iidem Gothi Scythica probantur origine nati. Unde nec longe a vocabulo discrepant.

66 The most ancient origin of the Goths was from Magog, son of Japhet, whence also the stock of the Scythians arose. For the same Goths are proved to have been born of Scythian origin. Hence they differ little from that name.

Demutata enim ac detracta littera, Getae, quasi Scythae, sunt nuncupati. Hi igitur Septentrionis glacialia juga inhabitantes circa Scythica regna, quaeque sunt ardua montium cum caeteris gentibus possidebant, quibus sedibus impetu gentis Hunnorum pulsi, transgressoque Danubio, Romanis se dederunt. Sed, dum injurias eorum non sustinerent, indignati, regem sibi ex sua turba legunt, Thraciam irruunt, Italiam vastant, obsessam Urbem capiunt, Gallias aggrediuntur, patefactisque Pyrenaeis montibus, Hispanias usque perveniunt, ibique sedem vitae atque imperium locaverunt.

For with a letter altered and removed, the Getae have been called, as it were, Scythae. These therefore, inhabiting the icy ridges of the North about the Scythian kingdoms, and occupying the steep mountains together with other peoples, whom, driven from their abodes by the onrush of the people of the Huns and having crossed the Danube, they surrendered themselves to the Romans. But, when they could no longer endure their injuries, indignant, they chose for themselves a king from their own throng, burst into Thrace, ravaged Italy, took the besieged City, attacked the Gauls, and, the Pyrenean mountains being opened, reached as far as the Spains, there fixing a seat of life and of empire.

67 Populi natura pernices, ingenio alacres, conscientiae viribus freti, robore corporis validi, staturae proceritate ardui, gestu habituque conspicui, manu prompti, duri vulneribus, juxta quod ait poeta de ipsis:

67 A people pernicious by nature, spirited in ingenium, relying on the forces of conscience, strong in bodily robustness, lofty in the procerity of stature, conspicuous in gesture and habit, ready of hand, hardy in wounds, just as the poet says of them:

Mortem contemnunt laudato vulnere Getae.

The Getae, with their praised wound, scorn death.

Quibus tanta exstitit magnitudo bellorum, et tam extollens gloriosae victoriae virtus, ut Roma ipsa victrix omnium populorum, subacta captivitatis jugo, Geticis triumphis accederet, et domina cunctarum gentium illis ut famula deserviret.

To whom was such greatness of wars, and so exalting the virtue of glorious victory, that Rome herself, conqueror of all peoples, subdued beneath the yoke of captivity, came to the Getic triumphs, and the mistress of all nations served them as a handmaid.

68 Hos Europae omnes tremuere gentes, Alpium his cessere obices. Vandalica et ipsa crebro opinata barbaries non tantum praesentia eorum exterrita, quam opinione fugata est. Gothorum vigore Alani exstincti sunt, Suevi quoque hactenus intra inaccessos Hispaniarum angulos coarctati, etiam eorum armis periculum finis experti sunt, et regno, quod desidioso torpore tenuerunt, turpiori nunc dispendio caruerunt, quanquam tenuisse hucusque valde sit mirum, quo sine experimento defensionis carere potuerunt.

68 All the peoples of Europe trembled at these, the barriers of the Alps gave way to them. Even the Vandalic barbarism itself, often dreaded, was driven off not so much by their presence as by the fear of them. By the vigour of the Goths the Alans were destroyed; the Suevi too, hitherto cramped within the inaccessible corners of the Hispaniæ, even the frontiers experienced the peril of their arms, and they were now deprived of the kingdom which they had held in slothful torpor by a fouler loss, although it is very wondrous that they had held it thus far, since how could they have been able to be without the experiment of defence?

69 Sed quis poterit tantam Gothicae gentis edicere virium magnitudinem, quandoquidem dum multis gentibus vix precum causa et munerum regnare licuerit, his tamen libertas magis de congressione quam de petita contigit pace, atque ubi sese necessitas bellandi opposuit, vires eos potius quam preces adhibuisse? Porro in armorum artibus spectabiles satis sunt, et non solum hastis, sed et jaculis equitando confligunt. Nec equestri tantum praelio, sed et pedestri incedunt.

69 But who can set forth the so great magnitude of the Gothic people's strengths, since although for many peoples it was scarcely permitted to rule for the sake of prayers and gifts, yet for these liberty befell more from congress than from requested peace, and where the necessity of warring opposed itself, did they apply force rather than prayers? Moreover they are sufficiently conspicuous in the arts of arms, and not only with spears, but also with javelins they clash while riding. Nor only in cavalry battle, but they advance on foot as well.

Verumtamen magis equitum praepeti cursu confidunt, unde et poeta: Getes, inquit, quo pergit equo.

Nevertheless they trust more in the swift course of horsemen, whence even the poet: Getes, he says, quo pergit equo.

70 Exercere enim se telis ac praeliis praeludere maxime diligunt. Ludorum certamina usu quotidiano gerunt. Hac sola tantum armorum experientia hucusque carebant, quod classica bella in mari gerere non studebant.

70 For they most delight in training themselves with weapons and in rehearsing for battles. They conduct the contests of their games by daily practice. Of arms they had lacked up to now only this single kind of experience, namely that they did not practice waging fleet-wars upon the sea.

Sed postquam Sisebutus princeps coelesti gratia regni sumpsit sceptra, ejus studiis ad tantam felicitatis virtutem profecti sunt, ut non solum terras, sed et ipsa maria suis armis adeant, subactusque serviat illis Romanus miles, quibus servire tot gentes et ipsam Hispaniam videt.

But after Prince Sisebut, by celestial grace, took up the scepter of the kingdom, by his zeal they advanced to so great a virtue of felicity that they assail not only lands, but even the very seas with their arms, and the Roman soldier, having been subdued, serves those to whom he sees so many peoples and even Hispania herself serving.

Vandalorum historia.

History of the Vandals.

71 Aera CDXLIV, ante biennium irruptionis Romanae urbis excitatae per Stiliconem gentes Alanorum, Suevorum et Vandalorum, trajecto Rheno fluvio, in Gallias irruunt, Francos proterunt, directoque impetu ad Pyrenaeum usque perveniunt, cujus obice per Didymum et Veranianum Romanos nobilissimos ac potentissimos fratres occupato, ab Hispania tribus annis repulsi, per circumjacentes Galliae provincias vagabantur. Sed postquam iidem fratres, qui privato praesidio Pyrenaei claustra tuebantur, ob suspicionem tyrannidis, insontes, et nulla culpa obnoxii, a Constantio Caesare interfecti sunt, aera CDXLVI, memoratae gentes Hispaniarum provincias irrumpunt.

71 In the year 444, two years before the uprising of the Roman city roused by Stilicho, the peoples of the Alans, Suevi and Vandals, having crossed the Rhine, burst into Gaul, overran the Franks, and with a direct onset reached even to the Pyrenees; whose barrier, being held by Didymus and Veranius, the most noble and most powerful Roman brothers, they were opposed, and, having been repelled from Spain for three years, they wandered through the neighbouring provinces of Gaul. But after those same brothers, who with a private garrison guarded the Pyrenean passes, were slain by Caesar Constantius on suspicion of tyranny, though innocent and guilty of no fault, in the year 446 the aforesaid peoples burst into the provinces of Spain.

72 Aera CDXLVI, Vandali, Alani et Suevi Hispanias occupantes, neces vastationesque cruentis discursionibus faciunt, urbes incendunt, substantiam direptam exhauriunt, ita ut humanae carnes vi famis devorarentur a populis. Edebant filios suos matres; bestiae quoque morientium gladio, fame ac peste, cadaveribus assuetae, etiam in vivorum efferebantur interitum, atque ita quatuor plagis per omnem Hispaniam saevientibus, divinae iracundiae per prophetas scripta olim praenuntiatio adimpletur.

72 In the year 446, the Vandals, Alans and Suevi occupying Hispania perpetrated murders and devastations in bloody incursions, burned cities, plundered and exhausted their substance, so that by the force of famine human flesh was devoured by the peoples. Mothers ate their own sons; beasts also, accustomed to the corpses of the dying by sword, famine and pestilence, were even seen carried about amid the destruction of the living; and thus, with four scourges raging through all Spain, the long-foretold premonition written by the prophets of divine wrath was fulfilled.

73 Aera CDLIX, post plagarum diram perniciem, quibus Hispania caesa est, tandem Barbari, ad pacem ineundam, Deo miserante, conversi, sorte in possessionem sibi ejus provincias dividunt. Gallaeciam enim Vandali et Suevi occupant; Alani Lusitaniam et Carthaginiensem provinciam; Vandali autem, cognomine Selingui, relicta Gallaecia, et postquam Tarraconensis provinciae insulas devastarunt, regressi, Baeticam sortiuntur. Hispani autem per civitates et castella residua plagis afflicti Barbarorum dominantium sese servituti subjiciunt.

73 Year 459, after the dire destruction of blows by which Hispania was cut down, at length the Barbarians, that they might enter into peace, God having mercy, being converted, by lot divide the possession of its provinces among themselves. For the Vandals and Suevi occupy Gallaecia; the Alans Lusitania and the Carthaginian province; and the Vandals, by the surname Silingii, leaving Gallaecia, and after they ravaged the islands of the Tarraconensis province, having returned, obtain Baetica by lot. The Spaniards, however, through the cities and remaining castles, afflicted by the wounds of the dominating Barbarians, subject themselves to servitude.

Primus autem in Hispania Gundericus rex Vandalorum successit, regnans Gallaeciae partibus annis XIIX. Qui, dum, rupto foedere pacis, Suevorum gentem in Erbasis montibus obsideret, relicta obsidione Suevorum, Balearicas Tarraconensis provinciae insulas depraedatur. Deinde, Carthagine Spartaria eversa, cum omnibus Vandalis, ad Baeticam transit, Hispalim diruit, actaque caede, in direptionem mittit.

First, in Spain King Gunderic succeeded the Vandals, ruling over parts of Gallaecia for 18 years. While, the treaty of peace having been broken, he besieged the people of the Suevi in the Erba mountains, he, the siege of the Suevi being left, plundered the Balearic islands of the province of Tarraconensis. Then, Carthago Spartaria having been overthrown, he crossed with all the Vandals into Baetica, razed Hispalis, and, the slaughter accomplished, sent it into pillage.

Qui cum auctoritate regiae potestatis irreverenter manus in basilicam Vincentii martyris civitatis ipsius extendisset, mox Dei judicio in foribus templi daemonio correptus interiit.

He who, with the authority of royal power, had irreverently stretched out his hands against the basilica of Vincent, the martyr of that very city, was soon, by God's judgment, seized by a demon at the doors of the temple and died.

74 Aera CDLXVI. Gisericus, frater Gunderici, succedit in regnum annis XL. Qui, ex catholico effectus apostata, in Arianam primus fertur transisse perfidiam. Hic de Baeticae provinciae littore cum Vandalis omnibus, eorumque familiis, ad Mauritaniam et Africam, relictis Hispaniis, transfretavit.

74 Era 466. Giseric, brother of Gunderic, succeeds to the kingdom for 40 years. He, having become an apostate from the Catholic faith, is said to have been the first to pass into Arian perfidy. From the shore of the Baetican province he crossed over, with all the Vandals and their households, to Mauretania and Africa, Spain being left behind.

Cui Valentinianus Junior, Occidentis imperator, non valens obsistere, pacem mittit, et partem Africae quam Vandali possiderent tanquam pacifice dedit, conditionibus ab eo sacramenti acceptis ne quid ultra invaderet.

To whom Valentinian the Younger, emperor of the West, not being able to resist, sent peace, and gave as peaceful possession the part of Africa which the Vandals held, the conditions of the sacrament having been accepted by him that he would invade nothing further.

75 Ille autem, de cujus amicitia nihil ambigebatur, violata sacramenti religione, Carthaginem dolo pacis invadit, omnesque opes ejus, excruciatis diverso tormentorum genere civibus, in jus proprium vertit. Deinde Siciliam depraedatur, Panormum obsedit, Arianam pestilentiam per totam Africam intromittit, sacerdotes Ecclesiis pellit, martyres plurimos facit, et juxta prophetiam Danielis, demutatis mysteriis, sanctorum ecclesias Christi hostibus tradidit. Nec jam divini cultus loca, sed suorum esse habitacula jussit.

75 He, moreover, about whose amity there was no doubt, having violated the religion of the sacrament, invaded Carthage by a deceit of peace, and turned all its riches into his own right, after tormenting its citizens with divers kinds of torture. Then he plundered Sicily, besieged Panormus, introduced the Arian pestilence through all Africa, drove priests from the churches, made very many martyrs, and, according to the prophecy of Daniel, the mysteries being changed, delivered the churches of the saints to the enemies of Christ. Nor did he any longer ordain the places of divine cult to be temples, but habitations of his own people.

76 Adversus quem Theodosius Minor, Orientis imperator, bellum paravit, quod ad effectum non venit. Hunnis enim Thraciam Illyricumque vastantibus, exercitus ad Vandalos missus, ad defendendos Thraces Illyrianosque, ex Sicilia revocatur. Majorianus autem imperator de Italia Hispanias veniens, cum in Carthaginiensi provincia aliquantas naves sibi ad transitum adversus Vandalos praeparasset, eas de littore Carthaginiensi commoniti Vandali per proditores arripiunt.

76 Against him Theodosius the Younger, emperor of the East, prepared war, which did not come to effect. For the Huns ravaging Thrace and Illyricum, the army sent against the Vandals was recalled from Sicily to defend the Thracians and Illyrians. But Majorian, the emperor, coming from Italy into the Spains, having prepared several ships for his crossing against the Vandals in the province of Carthage, those ships, the Vandals being warned from the Carthaginian shore, seized by means of traitors.

Sicque Majorianus, a sua dispositione frustratus, Italiam revertitur, atque, a Ricchimiro patritio fraude circumventus, occiditur.

Thus Majorianus, frustrated in his disposition, returns to Italy, and, having been circumvented by the fraud of the patrician Ricchimirus, is slain.

77 Quo comperto, Gisericus, non contentus solis Africae vastationibus, navibus advectus, Romam ingreditur, direptisque per XIV dies opibus Romanorum, relictam Valentiniani, et filias ejus, et multa millia captivorum secum tulit. Mox Carthaginem redit; et, per legatos ab imperatore postulata pace, Valentiniani relictam Constantinopolim remittit, quarum unam ex filiabus suis filio suo Hugnerico jure matrimonii copulavit. Sicque post multarum provinciarum clades, Christianorumque spolia atque neces, moritur regni sui anno XL.

77 When this was learned, Gisericus, not content with the mere devastations of Africa, was carried by ships into Rome, and, having plundered the resources of the Romans for 14 days, carried off with him Valentiniana, the widow of Valentinian, and his daughters, and many thousands of captives. Soon he returns to Carthage; and, by envoys demanded peace by the emperor, he sent the widow of Valentinian back to Constantinople, and he married one of those daughters to his son Hunneric by the right of marriage. Thus, after the ruin of many provinces and the spoils and slaughter of Christians, he died in the 40th year of his reign.

78 Aera DVI, post Gisericum, Ugnericus, Giserici filius, regnat annis VII, mensibus V, habens in conjugio Valentiniani filiam, quam pater ejus ex Roma cum matre captivam adduxerat, qui et ipse, Ariano suscitatus furore, Catholicos per totam Africam atrocior patre persequitur, ecclesias tollit, sacerdotes et cuncti ordinis clericos in exsilium mittit. Monachos quoque atque laicos quatuor circiter millia exsiliis durioribus relegavit, martyres fecit, confessoribus linguas abscidit, qui, linguis abscissis, perfecte usque ad finem locuti sunt.

78 In the year 506, after Giseric, Huneric, son of Giseric, reigned for 7 years, 5 months, having in marriage the daughter of Valentinian, whom her father had brought captive from Rome with her mother; who himself also, roused by Arian fury, persecuted the Catholics throughout all Africa more cruelly than his father, tore down churches, and sent priests and clerics of every order into exile. He also banished about four thousand monks and laymen to harsher remoter exiles, made martyrs, and cut out the tongues of confessors, who, their tongues cut away, nevertheless spoke clearly even to the end.

79 Tunc Laetus, Neptensis civitatis episcopus, gloriose martyrio coronatur. Qui dum Ariani contagii labe variis poenis maculari non potuit, victor repente coelos obtinuit. Ugnericus autem inter innumerabiles suarum impietatum strages, quas in Catholicos exercuerat, octavo regni anno, ut Arius pater ejus, interioribus cunctis effusis, miserabiliter vitam finivit.

79 Then Laetus, bishop of the city of Neptis, was gloriously crowned by martyrdom. He, who, though he could not be stained by the taint of Arian contagion despite various punishments, as a victor suddenly obtained the heavens. Ugnericus, however, among the innumerable slaughters of his impieties which he had exercised against the Catholics, in the eighth year of his reign, like Arius his father, with his entrails all poured out, miserably ended his life.

80 Aera DXIV, Ugnerico succedit Guntamundus, regnans ann. XII, qui statim Ecclesiae pacem reformans, Catholicos ab exsilio revocavit.

80 Era 514, Guntamundus succeeds Ugnericus, reigning 12 years, who, immediately restoring peace to the Church, recalled the Catholics from exile.

81 Aera DXXVI, Guntamundo mortuo, Trasemundus regnat ann. XXVII, mens. IV. Iste, Ariana insania plenus, Catholicos insectatur, ecclesias claudit, Sardiniam exsilio ex omni Africana Ecclesia CXX episcopos mittit, Carthagine moritur.

81 In the year 526, with Guntamundus dead, Trasimundus reigns 27 years, 4 months. He, full of Arian insanity, persecutes the Catholics, shuts churches, sends into exile from the whole African Church 120 bishops to Sardinia, and dies at Carthage.

Cujus tempore Fulgentius, Ruspensis episcopus, in nostro dogmate claruit.

In whose time Fulgentius, bishop of Ruspe, shone forth in our doctrine.

82 Aera DLIII, post Trasemundum Ildericus, Ugnerici filius, ex Valentiniani imperatoris filia natus, regnat ann. VII, mens. III.

82 Era 553, after Trasemundus Ildericus, son of Ugneric, born of the daughter of Emperor Valentinian, reigns for 7 years, 3 months.

Iste, sacramento a decessore suo Trasemundo obstrictus, ne Catholicis in regno suo aut ecclesias aperiret, aut privilegia restauraret, priusquam regnaret, ne religionem sacramenti violaret, praecepit et sacerdotes catholicos ab exsilio reduci, et ecclesias aperiri, quem Gilimer, assumpta tyrannide, regno privat, et cum filiis carceris custodiae mancipat.

He, bound by the sacrament to his deceased predecessor Trasemund, lest he open churches to Catholics in his kingdom or restore privileges before he should reign, so as not to violate the religion of the sacrament, ordered that Catholic priests be brought back from exile and churches opened; whom Gilimer, having assumed tyranny, deprived of the kingdom, and together with his sons consigns to the custody of prison.

83 Aera DLX, Gilimer regnum cum tyrannide sumpsit, multos nobilium Africae provinciae crudeliter exstinguens, multorumque substantias tollens, adversus quem Justinianus imperator, visitatione Laeti episcopi, qui ab Ugnerico Vandalorum rege martyr fuerat factus, exercitum cum Belisario magistro militum duce mittit. Initoque idem Belisarius praelio Guntemirum et Gebamundum regis fratres primo praelio superatos interficit, deinde ipsum Gilimirum in fugam versum. Africam capit nonagesimo septimo Vandalorum ingressionis anno.

83 In the year 560, Gilimer assumed the kingdom with tyranny, cruelly extinguishing many of the nobles of the province of Africa, and seizing the fortunes of many; against him Emperor Justinian, at the visitation of Laetus the bishop, who had been made a martyr by Ugneric, king of the Vandals, sent an army under Belisarius, master of soldiers. And that same Belisarius, having entered into battle, killed Guntemir and Gebamund, the king’s brothers, first overthrown in the first engagement, and then put Gilimer himself to flight. He took Africa in the 97th year of the Vandal incursion.

84 In ipso autem Belisarii occursu priusquam congressio fieret, Gilimer tyrannus Ildericum regem cum quibusdam generis ejus affinibus occidit. Belisarius autem Gilimirum tyrannum capit, eumque cum divitiis ex rapinis provinciarum et Africae conquisitis Constantinopolim Justiniano imperatori adducit. Sicque regnum Vandalorum cum populo atque stirpe deletur aera DLXIV, quod permansit CXIII ann., a Gunderico rege usque ad Gilimiri interitum.

84 In Belisarius’s very encounter, before a meeting of battle could occur, the tyrant Gilimer killed King Ilderic with certain of his kinsmen. Belisarius, however, captured the tyrant Gilimer and, having gathered riches from the plunder of the provinces and of Africa, led him to Constantinople to Emperor Justinian. Thus the kingdom of the Vandals, with its people and lineage, was destroyed in the year 564, which endured 113 years, from King Gunderic to the ruin of Gilimer.

Suevorum historia.

History of the Suevi.

85 Aera CDXLVII, Suevi, principe Hermerico, cum Alanis et Vandalis simul Hispanias ingressi sunt, atque omnem Gallaeciam cum Vandalis occupant. Vandalis autem Africam transeuntibus, Gallaeciam soli Suevi sortiti sunt, quibus praefuit in Hispaniis Hermericus annis XXXII. Gallaeci autem in parte proviae regno suo utebantur.

85 In the year 447, the Suevi, with their prince Hermeric, together with the Alans and the Vandals entered the Spains, and occupied all Gallaecia together with the Vandals. But when the Vandals passed into Africa, Gallaecia alone was allotted to the Suevi, over whom Hermeric presided in Spain for 32 years. The Gallaeci, however, in part of the province enjoyed their own kingdom.

Quos Hermericus assidua vastatione depraedans, tandem morbo oppressus, pacem cum eis fecit, Recchilanem filium suum in regnum substituit, qui cum magna parte exercitus missus, Andevotum Romanae militiae ducem cum multis copiis ad Singilium Baeticae provinciae fluvium, inito bello, prostravit, magnis ejus auri argentique copiis occupatis. Inde Emeritam obsessam ingreditur, atque obtentam propria regno associat. Hermericus autem pater ejus, per annos VII diuturno languore affectus, interiit.

Assiduously depredating them by devastation, Hermericus, at length stricken by disease, made peace with them and placed Recchilanus, his son, on the throne; who, sent with a great part of the army, in a war begun at the river Singilium of the province of Baetica overthrew Andevotus, a leader of the Roman militia, with many forces, and seized large stores of his gold and silver. Thence he entered besieged Emerita, and, having obtained it, joined it to his own kingdom. Hermericus, however, his father, having been afflicted for 7 years by a prolonged sickness, died.

86 Aera CDLXXIX, Hermerico defuncto, Recchila, filius ejus, regnat ann. VIII, qui post obitum patris, Hispali obtenta, Baeticam et Carthaginiensem provincias in suam potestatem reducit, atque inde Emeritae, sub cultu, ut ferunt, gentilitatis vitam finivit.

86 In the year 479, Hermericus having died, Recchila, his son, reigns 8 years, who, after his father's death and having obtained Hispalis, brought the provinces of Baetica and Carthaginensis into his own power, and thereafter at Emerita, under the cult, as they say, of gentility, ended his life.

87 Aera CDXXCVI, Recchiarius, Recchilanis filius, catholicus factus, succedit in regnum annis IX, accepta in conjugium Theuderedi regis Gothorum filia. Initio regni auspicatus Vasconias depraedatur; mox ad Theuderedum socerum suum profectus, Caesaraugustanam regionem remeans, Gothis auxiliantibus, vastat. Tarraconensem provinciam, quae Romano imperio deserviebat, invadit.

87 In the year 526, Recchiarius, son of Recchila, having become Catholic, succeeds to the kingdom for 9 years, having taken in marriage the daughter of Theudered, king of the Goths. At the beginning of his reign he plunders the Vasconias; soon, having gone to Theudered his father‑in‑law, he returns to the Caesaraugusta region and, the Goths aiding, lays it waste. He invades the Tarraconense province, which served the Roman Empire.

Carthaginienses regiones, quas Recchila pater ejus Romanis reddiderat, in praedam mittit. Ad ultimum, dum Theudericus rex Gothorum in Hispaniam ingrederetur, inito praelio adversus eum, primo fugatur, deinde captus occiditur.

The Carthaginians send the regions, which his father Recchila had restored to the Romans, into plunder. At last, while Theuderic, king of the Goths, was entering into Hispania, a battle being begun against him, he is at first put to flight, then captured and killed.

88 Aera CDXCV, exstincto Recchiario, Suevi, qui remanserant in extrema parte Gallaeciae, Maldram Massilae filium regem sibi constituunt. Mox bifariam divisi, pars Frantanem, pars Maldram regem appellant. Nec mora.

88 In the year 495, Recchiarius being dead, the Suevi who had remained in the extreme part of Gallaecia appointed Maldram, son of Massila, king for themselves. Soon, split in two, one part call Frantanus king, the other call Maldram king. And without delay.

Frantane mortuo, Suevi, qui cum eo erant, Recchimundum sequuntur, et, cum Maldra pace inita, pariter partes Lusitaniae depraedantur. Maldra autem tertio regni anno a suis jugulatur.

With Frantane dead, the Suevi who were with him follow Recchimundum, and, when peace with Maldra has been made, they together plunder parts of Lusitania. Maldra, however, in the third year of his reign is slain by his own men.

89 Aera CDXCIIX. Maldra interfecto, inter Frumarium et Remismundum oritur de regni potestate dissensio; sed Frumarius cum manu Suevorum, quam habebat, Flaviensis urbis conventum gravi evertit excidio. Remismundus autem vicina sibi pariter Auregensium et Lucensis conventus maritima populatur.

89 Year 498. Maldra having been slain, a dissension arises between Frumarius and Remismundus over the power of the kingdom; but Frumarius, with the force of Suevi that he had, overthrew the convent of the city of Flaviensis with grievous destruction. Remismundus, however, likewise plunders by sea the neighboring maritime convents of the Auregensians and the Lucensians.

90 Aera DII, Frumario mortuo, Remismundus, omnibus Suevis in suam ditionem regali jure revocatis, pacem cum Gallaecis reformat, legatos foederis ad Theudericum regem Gothorum mittit, a quo etiam per legatos, et arma, et conjugem, quam haberet, accepit. Inde ad Lusitaniam transit. Conimbriam pace deceptam diripit.

90 Year 502. With Frumarius dead, Remismundus, all the Suevi being recalled into his dominion by royal right, restores peace with the Gallaecians, sends envoys of the treaty to Theuderic, king of the Goths, and from him likewise, through envoys, he received both arms and the wife he had. Thence he crosses into Lusitania. He plunders Conimbriam, deceived by peace.

Olyssipona quoque ab eo occupatur, cive suo, qui illi praeerat, tradente Lusidio. Hujus tempore Ajax, natione Galata, effectus apostata Arianus, inter Suevos, regis sui auxilio, hostis catholicae fidei et divinae Trinitatis emergit, de Gallicana Gothorum regione hoc pestiferum virus afferens, et totam gentem Suevorum lethalis perfidiae labe inficiens. Multis deinde Suevorum regibus in Ariana haeresi permanentibus, tandem regni potestatem Theudemirus suscepit.

Olyssipona is also occupied by him, delivered over by his own citizen who was governor there, Lusidius. At this time Ajax, by nation a Galate, having become an apostate Arian, rises up among the Suevi, with the aid of their king, as an enemy of the Catholic faith and of the divine Trinity, bringing this pestiferous virus from the Gallican region of the Goths, and infecting the whole people of the Suevi with the lethal stain of perfidy. Many then of the Suevic kings remain in the Arian heresy; at last Theudemirus took upon himself the power of the kingdom.

91 Qui confestim, Arianae impietatis errore destructo, Suevos catholicae fidei reddidit, innitente Martino, monasterii Dumiensis episcopo, fide et scientia claro, cujus studio et pax Ecclesiae ampliata est, et multa in Ecclesiasticis disciplinis Gallaeciae regionibus instituta. Post Theudemirum Miro Suevorum princeps efficitur, regnans ann. XIII.

91 Who immediately, the error of Arian impiety having been overthrown, restored the Suevi to the Catholic faith, with the aid of Martin, bishop of the monastery of Dumium, famed for faith and learning, by whose zeal both the peace of the Church was extended and many things in ecclesiastical disciplines were instituted in the regions of Gallaecia. After Theudemir, Miro became prince of the Suevi, reigning 13 years.

Hic bellum secundo regni contra Ruccones intulit. Deinde in auxilium Leovigildo Gothorum regi adversus rebellem filium expugnandum Hispalim pergit, ibique terminum vitae clausit

He brought war in the second year of his reign against the Ruccones. Then he proceeded to Hispalum to the aid of Leovigild, king of the Goths, to besiege the rebellious son, and there he closed the term of his life.

92 Huic Heboricus filius in regnum succedit, quem adolescentem Andeca, sumpta tyrannide, regno privat, et monachum factum in monasterio damnat, pro quo non diu est dilata sententia. Nam Leovigildus, Gothorum rex, Suevis mox bellum inferens, obtento eodem regno, Andecanem dejecit, atque detonsum, post regni honorem, presbyterii officio mancipavit. Sic enim oportuit ut quod ipse regi suo fecerat, rursus idem congrua vicissitudine pateretur.

92 To him his son Heboricus succeeds in the kingdom, whom, while a youth, Andeca having seized tyranny deprived of the kingdom and condemned as a monk in a monastery, a sentence that was not long delayed to be reversed. For Leovigildus, king of the Goths, soon making war upon the Suebi, having obtained the same kingdom, deposed Andeca, and after cutting his hair, having deprived him of royal honour, bound him to the office of the presbyter. For it was fitting that what he himself had done to his own king he should in turn suffer by a suitable vicissitude.

Regnum autem Suevorum deletum in Gothos transfertur, quod mansisse CLXXVII annis scribitur.

But the kingdom of the Suevi, destroyed, is transferred to the Goths; which is written to have remained for 177 years.