Paulus Diaconus: HISTORIA LANGOBARDORUM

1. Igitur aliquanti ex ducibus Langobardorum cum valido exercitu Gallias ingrediuntur. Horum adventum vir Dei Hospitius, qui apud Niceam erat inclausus, sancto sibi revelante Spiritu, longe ante praevidit eiusdemque urbis civibus, quae mala inminerent, praedixit. Erat enim vir iste magnae abstinentiae et probabilis vitae; qui constrictus ad carnem catenis ferreis, induto desuper cilicio, solo pane in cibo cum paucis dactilis utebatur.

1. Therefore some of the leaders of the Lombards, with a strong army, enter Gaul. The man of God Hospitius, who was shut in at Nicaea, long beforehand foresaw their coming, the Holy Spirit revealing it to him, and he foretold to the citizens of that same city what evils were threatening. For this man was of great abstinence and of an approved life; bound to his flesh with iron chains, with a hairshirt put on over them, he used only bread for food along with a few dates.

In diebus autem quadragesimae radicibus herbarum Aegyptiarum, quibus heremitae utuntur, exhibentibus sibi negotiatoribus, alebatur. Per hunc Dominus magnas virtutes operari dignatus est, quae scriptae habentur in libris venerabilis viri Gregorii Toronensis episcopi. Igitur vir iste sanctus adventum Langobardorum in Gallias hoc modo praedixit: "Venient" inquit "Langobardi in Gallias et devastabunt civitates septem, eo quod increverit malitia eorum in conspectu Domini.

Now in the days of Lent he was nourished by the roots of Egyptian herbs, which hermits use, merchants providing them to him. Through him the Lord deigned to work great virtues (miracles), which are held written in the books of the venerable man Gregory of Tours, bishop. Therefore this holy man foretold the advent of the Langobards into Gaul in this way: "They will come," he says, "the Langobards into Gaul and they will devastate seven cities, because their malice has increased in the sight of the Lord.

Est enim omnis populus periuriis deditus, furtis obnoxius, rapinis intentus, homicidiis prumptus, in quibus non est iustitiae fructus: non decimae dantur, non pauper alitur, non tegitur nudus, non suscipitur hospitio peregrinus. Ideo haec plaga ventura est super populum istum". Monachis quoque suis praecipiens dixit: "Abscedite et vos a loco isto, auferentes vobiscum quae habetis. Ecce enim gens appropriat quam praedixi". Dicentibus autem illis: "Non relinquimus te, sanctissime pater", ait: "Nolite timere pro me. Futurum est enim, ut inferant mihi iniurias, sed non nocebunt usque ad mortem".

For the whole people is given over to perjuries, liable to thefts, intent on rapines, ready for homicides, in whom there is not the fruit of justice: tithes are not given, the poor man is not nourished, the naked is not covered, the stranger is not received with hospitality. Therefore this plague is going to come upon this people". Also, instructing his monks, he said: "Withdraw you also from this place, carrying off with you the things which you have. Behold, the nation approaches which I foretold". But when they said: "We will not leave you, most holy father", he said: "Do not fear for me. For it will come to pass that they will inflict injuries on me, but they will not harm unto death".

2. Discedentibus autem monachis, advenit exercitus Langobardorum. Qui dum cuncta quae reppererat vastaret, ad locum ubi vir sanctus inclausus erat pervenit. At ille per fenestram turris se eis ostendit.

2. But as the monks were departing, the army of the Langobards arrived. And while it was devastating all the things it had found, it came to the place where the holy man was enclosed. But he showed himself to them through the window of the tower.

Illi vero circumeuntes turrem, dum aditum quaererent, per quem ad eum ingredi possent, et minime invenirent, duo ex eis ascendentes tectum, discoperierunt illud. Et videntes eum cinctum catenis indutumque cilicio, dicunt: "Hic malefactor est et homicidium fecit, ideo in his ligaminibus vinctus tenetur". Vocatumque interpretem, sciscitantur ab eo, quid mali fecerit, ut tali supplicio artaretur. At ille fatetur, se homicidam esse omniumque criminum reum.

But they, indeed, going around the tower, while they were seeking an entrance by which they might be able to go in to him, and by no means found one, two of them, climbing onto the roof, uncovered it. And seeing him girt with chains and clothed in a cilice, they say: "This man is a malefactor and has committed homicide; therefore he is kept bound in these bonds." And, an interpreter having been called, they inquire from him what evil he had done, that he should be constrained by such a punishment. But he confesses that he is a murderer and guilty of all crimes.

Tunc unus, extracto gladio, ut caput eius amputaret, mox eius dextera in ipso ictu suspensa diriguit, nec eam ad se potuit revocare. Qui relictum gladium terrae deiecit. Haec videntes socii eius, clamorem in caelo dederunt, flagitantes a sancto, ut, quid eis agendum esset, clementer insinuaret.

Then one, with the sword drawn, that he might amputate his head, straightway his right hand, suspended in the very stroke, grew rigid, nor could he recall it to himself. He cast the abandoned sword down to the ground. His companions, seeing these things, raised a clamor to heaven, entreating from the saint that he would mercifully intimate what they ought to do.

Ipse vero imposito salutis signo arens brachium sanitatis restituit. Langobardus autem qui sanatus fuerat ad fidem Christi conversus, statim clericus, deinde monachus effectus est atque in eodem loco usque ad finem vitae suae in Dei servitio permansit. Beatus vero Hospitius dum Langobardis Dei verbum loqueretur, duo duces, qui eum venerabiliter audierunt, incolomes patriae redditi sunt; quidam vero, qui eius verba despexerant, in ipsa Provincia miserabiliter perierunt.

He himself, however, having imposed the sign of salvation, restored the withered arm to health. The Langobard who had been healed, moreover, converted to the faith of Christ, at once became a cleric, then a monk, and in that same place remained in the service of God until the end of his life. But the Blessed Hospitius, while he was speaking the Word of God to the Langobards, two dukes who heard him reverently were returned safe to their fatherland; but certain men who had despised his words miserably perished in that very Province.

3. Igitur devastantibus Langobardis Gallias, Amatus patricius Provinciae, qui Gunthramno regi Francorum parebat, contra eos exercitum duxit, commissoque bello, terga vertit ibique extinctus est. Tantamque tunc stragem Langobardi de Burgundionibus fecerunt, ut non possit colligi numerus occisorum. Ditatique inaestimabili praeda ad Italiam revertuntur.

3. Therefore, as the Lombards were devastating the Gauls, Amatus, patrician of the Province, who obeyed King Gunthram of the Franks, led an army against them; and, battle having been joined, he turned his back and there was extinguished. And the Lombards then made such a slaughter of the Burgundians that the number of the slain cannot be gathered. Enriched with inestimable booty, they return to Italy.

4. Quibus discedentibus, Eunius, qui et Mummulus, accersitus a rege, patriciatus honorem emeruit. Inruentibus autem iterum Langobardis in Gallias et usque Mustiascalmes accedentibus, qui locus Ebredunensi adiacet civitati, Mummulus exercitum movit et cum Burgundionibus illuc proficiscitur. Circumdatisque Langobardis cum exercitu, factis etiam concidibus per devia silvarum, inruit super eos multosque ex eis interfecit; nonnullos vero cepit et regi suo Gunthramno direxit.

4. When they were departing, Eunius, who is also Mummulus, summoned by the king, earned the honor of the patriciate. But when the Langobards again rushed into Gaul and came as far as Mustiascalmes, which place lies adjacent to the city of Ebredunum, Mummulus set the army in motion and set out thither with the Burgundians. And having surrounded the Langobards with his army, and moreover having made felled-tree barricades through the bypaths of the woods, he rushed upon them and killed many of them; some, however, he captured and dispatched to his own king, Gunthramn.

Langobardi quoque, his patratis, ad Italiam sunt regressi.

The Langobards also, these things having been accomplished, returned to Italy.

5. Post haec Saxones, qui cum Langobardis in Italiam venerant, in Gallias prorumpunt et intra terretorium Regensem, id est apud Stablonem villam, castra constituunt, discurrentes per villas urbium vicinarum, diripientes praedas, captivos abducentes vel etiam cuncta vastantes. Quod cum Mummulus conperisset, super eos cum exercitu inruit multosque ex ei interfecit; donec nox finem faceret, caedere non cessavit. Ignaros enim reppererat homines et nihil de his quae accesserant autumantes.

5. After these things, the Saxons, who had come into Italy with the Langobards, burst into Gaul and, within the territory of Reims, that is at a villa called Stablonem, set up camp, running about through the villas of the neighboring cities, plundering booty, carrying off captives, and even laying everything waste. When Mummulus learned this, he rushed upon them with his army and killed many of them; he did not cease to slaughter until night made an end. For he had found the men unawares and supposing nothing of the things that had come upon them.

Mane autem facto, statuunt Saxones exercitum, praeparantes se fortiter ad bellum; sed intercurrentibus nuntiis, pacem fecerunt, datisque muneribus Mummulo, relictis captivis et universa praeda, ad Italiam revertuntur.

However, when morning had come, the Saxons marshal their army, preparing themselves bravely for war; but with messengers intervening, they made peace, and, gifts having been given to Mummulus, the captives and all the plunder being left behind, they return to Italy.

6. Igitur regressi saxones in Italiam, adsumptis secum uxoribus atque parvulis suis vel omni supellectili, rursum ad Gallias deliberant redire, scilicet ut a Sigiberto rege suscepti, eius possint adiutorio ad patriam remeare. Certum est autem hos Saxones ideo ad Italiam cum uxoribus et parvulis advenisse, ut in ea habitare deberent; sed, quantum datur intellegi, noluerunt Langobardorum imperiis subiacere. Sed neque eis a Langobardis permissum est in proprio iure subsistere, ideoque aestimantur ad suam patriam repedasse.

6. Therefore, the Saxons, having returned to Italy, taking with them their wives and their little ones as well as all their household gear, resolve again to go back to Gaul, namely that, received by King Sigibert, they might be able by his aid to return to their fatherland. It is certain, moreover, that these Saxons came to Italy with their wives and little ones for this reason, that they ought to dwell in it; but, so far as it is given to be understood, they did not wish to lie subject to the imperia of the Langobards. Nor was it permitted them by the Langobards to stand in their own right, and therefore they are thought to have returned to their own fatherland.

Hi Gallias ingressuri, duos ex se cuneos faciunt; et unus quidem cuneus per Niceam urbem, alter vero per Ebredunum ingressus est, illa revertens via, quam anno superiore tenuerat. Hi, quia tempus messium erat, colligentes ac triturantes frumenta, comedebant ac suis animantibus ad esum praebebant. Depraedabantur pecora, sed nec ab incendiis abstinebant.

They, about to enter Gaul, form two wedges; and one wedge indeed entered through the city of Nicea, while the other through Ebredunum, returning by that road which it had held in the previous year. Since it was the season of harvests, they, gathering and threshing the grain, ate it and provided it to their animals for eating. They depredated the herds, nor did they abstain from arsons.

Qui cum ad Rodanum amnem pervenissent, ut transmeato eo, regno se Sigiberti conferrent, occurrit eis Mummulus cum valida multitudine. Tunc illi valde viso eo timentes, datis pro redemptione sua multis auri nummismatibus Rodanum transire permissi sunt. Qui dum ad Sigibertum regem pergunt, multos in itinere negotiatione sua deceperunt, venundantes regulas aeris, quae ita, nescio quomodo, erant coloratae, ut auri probati atque examinati speciem simularent.

When they had come to the Rhone river, in order, once it was crossed, to transfer themselves into the kingdom of Sigibert, Mummulus met them with a strong multitude. Then they, greatly afraid at the sight of him, having given many gold coins for their redemption (ransom), were permitted to cross the Rhone. And while they go on to King Sigibert, they deceived many on the road by their negotiation (trade), selling little bars of bronze, which were so— I know not how— colored that they simulated the appearance of proved and assayed gold.

Unde nonnulli hoc dolo seducti, dantes aurum et aes accipientes, pauperes sunt effecti. Pervenientes tamen ad regem Sigibertum, ad locum unde prius egressi fuerant redire permissi sunt.

Whence several, seduced by this trick, giving gold and receiving bronze, were rendered poor. Nevertheless, upon arriving to King Sigibert, they were permitted to return to the place whence they had previously gone forth.

7. Qui dum ad suam patriam venissent, invenerunt eam a Suavis et aliis gentibus, sicut supra commemoravimus, retineri. Contra quos insurgentes, conati sunt eos extrudere ac delere. At illi optulerunt eis tertiam partem regionis, dicentes: "Simul possumus vivere et sine conlisione communiter habitare". Cumque illi nullo modo adquiescerent, dehinc optulerunt eis medietatem; post haec duas partes, sibi tantum tertiam reservantes.

7. When they had come to their own fatherland, they found it being held by the Suevi and other peoples, just as we have mentioned above. Rising against them, they tried to thrust them out and to destroy them. But they offered them a third part of the region, saying: "We can live together and, without collision, dwell in common." And when they in no way acquiesced, thereafter they offered them the half; after this, two parts, reserving only a third for themselves.

Nolentibus autem illis, optulerunt cum terra etiam omnia pecora, tantum ut a bello cessarent. Sed nec hoc Saxones adquiescentes, certamen expetunt atque inter se ante certamen, qualiter uxores Suavorum dividerent, statuunt. Sed non eis ut putabant evenit.

However, since they were unwilling, they proffered along with the land even all the livestock, only that they might cease from war. But the Saxons, not acquiescing even to this, seek the contest, and among themselves before the contest they resolve how they would divide the wives of the Suavi. But it did not turn out for them as they supposed.

8. Nam commisso proelio, viginti milia ex eis interempta sunt, Suavorum vero quadringenti octoginta ceciderunt, reliqui vero victoriam capiunt. Sex milia quoque Saxonum, qui bello superfuerant, devoverunt, se neque barbam neque capilIos incisuros, nisi se de Suavis hostibus ulciscerentur. Qui iterum pugnam adgredientes vehementer adtriti sunt, et sic a bello quieverunt.

8. For, the battle having been joined, twenty thousand of them were slain, but of the Suebi 480 fell; the rest, however, carried off the victory. And 6,000 of the Saxons too, who had survived the war, vowed that they would cut neither beard nor hair until they had avenged themselves upon the Suebi, their enemies. They, approaching the fight again, were vehemently worn down, and thus they ceased from war.

Mummulo porrexit eumque citius adventare dixit. Quo conperto, Zaban et Rodanus exinde mox ad propria discesserunt. His auditis, Amo, collecta omni praeda, Italiam rediturus proficiscitur; sed resistentibus nivibus, praedam ex magna parte relinquens, vix cum suis Alpinum tramitem erumpere potuit a sic ad patriam pervenit.

Mummolus he sent word to and said that he was approaching more quickly. This having been learned, Zaban and Rodanus from there soon departed to their own places. These things having been heard, Amo, all the booty gathered, sets forth, about to return to Italy; but with the snows resisting, leaving the booty for the greater part, he could scarcely with his men break through the Alpine pass, and so he came to his fatherland.

9. His diebus advenientibus Francis, Anagnis castrum, quod super Tridentum io confinio Italiae positum est, se eisdem tradidit. Quam ob causam comes Langobardorum de Lagare, Ragilo nomine, Anagnis veniens depraedatus est. Qui dum cum praeda reverteretur, in campo Rotaliani, ab obvio sibi duce Francorum Chramnichis cum pluribus e suis peremptus est.

9. In these days, with the Franks arriving, the fortress of Anagnis, which is set above Tridentum on the border of Italy, surrendered itself to those same men. For which cause the count of the Langobards of Lagare, named Ragilo, coming to Anagnis, plundered it. While he was returning with the booty, in the Rotalian plain, he was slain, together with many of his own, by Chramnichis, a duke of the Franks, who met him.

Qui Chramnichis non multum post tempus Tridentum veniens devastavit. Quem subsequens Evin Tridentinus dux, in loco qui Salurnis dicitur, suis cum sociis interfecit praedamque omnem quam ceperat excussit expulsisque Francis, Tridentinum territorium recepit.

This Chramnichis, not much later, coming to Tridentum, devastated it. Him, following after, Evin, the Tridentine duke, in the place which is called Salurnis, killed with his own companions, and shook out all the booty which he had taken; and, the Franks having been expelled, he recovered the Tridentine territory.

10. Hoc tempore Sigibertus rex Francorum occisus est fraude Hilperici, germani sui, cum quo bellum inierat, regnumque eius Childebertus, eiusdem filius, adhuc puerulus, cum Brunichilde matre regendum suscepit. Evin quoque dux Tridentinorum, de quo praemisimus, accepit uxorem filiam Garibaldi Baioariorum regis.

10. At this time Sigibert, king of the Franks, was slain by the fraud of Hilperic, his own brother, with whom he had entered into war; and his kingdom Childebert, his son, still a little boy, together with his mother Brunichild, took up to be governed. Evin also, duke of the Tridentines, of whom we have mentioned above, took to wife the daughter of Garibald, king of the Bavarians.

11. Per haec tempora apud Constantinopolim, ut supra praemissum est, iustinus minor regnabat, vir in omni avaritia deditus, contemptor pauperum, senatorum spoliator. Cui tanta fuit cupiditatis rabies, ut arcas iuberet ferreas fieri, in quibus ea quae rapiebat auri talenta congereret. Quem etiam ferunt in heresim Pelagianam dilapsum.

11. During these times at Constantinople, as was premised above, Justin the Younger was reigning, a man given over to every avarice, a despiser of the poor, a despoiler of the senators. In him the rage of cupidity was so great that he ordered iron chests to be made, in which he might heap up the talents of gold that he was seizing. They even report that he slipped into the Pelagian heresy.

Hic cum a divinis mandatis aurem cordis averteret, iusto Dei iudicio amisso rationis intellectu amens effectus est. Hic Tiberium Caesarem adscivit, qui eius palatium vel singulas provincias gubernaret, hominem iustum, utilem, strenuum, sapientem, elemosinarium, in iudiciis aequum, in victoriis clarum et, quod his omnibus supereminet, verissimum christianum. Hic cum multa de thesauris quos Iustinus adgregaverat pauperibus erogaret, Sophia Augusta frequentius eum increpabat, quod rem publicam redigisset in paupertatem, dicens: "Quod ego multis annis congregavi, tu infra paucum tempus prodige dispergis". Agebat autem ille: "Confido in Domino, quia non deerit pecunia fisco nostro, tantum ut pauperes elemosinam accipiant aut captivi redimantur.

As he turned the ear of his heart away from divine mandates, by the just judgment of God, with the understanding of reason lost, he became out of his mind. He enrolled Tiberius as Caesar, to govern his palace and the several provinces, a man just, useful, strenuous, wise, an almsgiver, equitable in judgments, illustrious in victories, and—what towers above all these—a most true Christian. When he was dispensing many things from the treasures which Justin had amassed to the poor, Sophia Augusta would more frequently rebuke him, because he had reduced the commonwealth to poverty, saying: "What I gathered through many years, you within a little time prodigally scatter." But he would say: "I trust in the Lord, that money will not be lacking to our fisc, only let the poor receive alms and captives be redeemed."

Hoc est enim magnum thesaurum, dicente Domino: "Thesaurizate vobis thesauros in caelo, ubi neque aerugo neque tinea corrumpit, et ubi fures non effodiunt nec furantur". Ergo de his quae Dominus tribuit congregemus thesauros in caelo et Dominus nobis augere dignabitur in saeculo". Igitur Iustinus cum undecim annis regnasset, amentiam, quam incurrerat, tandem cum vita finivit. [Bella sane, quae per Narsetem patricium Gothis vel Francis inlata superius per anticipationem diximus, huius temporibus gesta sunt.] Denique et cum Roma temporibus Benedicti papae, vastantibus omnia per circuitum Langobardis, famis penuria laboraret, multa milia frumenti navibus ab Aegypto dirigens, eam suae studio misericordiae relevavit.

For this is a great treasure, as the Lord says: "Treasure up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor moth corrupts, and where thieves do not dig through nor steal." Therefore, from the things which the Lord bestows, let us gather treasures in heaven, and the Lord will deign to increase for us in this age. Accordingly, when Justin had reigned for 11 years, he at last ended the madness which he had incurred, together with his life. [Indeed, the wars which, through Narses the patrician, were brought upon the Goths and the Franks, which we said above by anticipation, were carried out in his times.] Finally, also when Rome in the times of Pope Benedict, with the Langobards devastating everything around, was laboring under the penury of famine, sending many thousands of measures of grain by ships from Egypt, he relieved it by the zeal of his mercy.

12. Mortuo igitur Iustino, Tiberius Constantinus, Romanorum regum quinquagesimus, sumpsit imperium. Hic cum, ut superius diximus, sub Iustino adhuc Caesar palatium regeret et multas cottidie elemosinas faceret, magnam ei Dominus auri copiam subministravit. Nam deambulans per palatium vidit in pavimento domus tabulam marmoream, in qua erat crux dominica sculpta, et ait: "Crucem Domini frontem nostram et pectora munire debemus, et ecce eam sub pedibus conculcamus". Et dicto citius iussit eandem tabulam auferri.

12. Therefore, Justin having died, Tiberius Constantine, the fiftieth of the kings of the Romans, took up the imperium. As, as we said above, while under Justin he, still as Caesar, was governing the palace and was daily making many alms, the Lord supplied to him a great abundance of gold. For, strolling through the palace, he saw in the pavement of the house a marble slab, in which the Lord’s cross was sculpted, and he said: “We ought to fortify our brow and our breasts with the Cross of the Lord, and behold, we trample it underfoot.” And, sooner said than done, he ordered that same slab to be taken away.

Defossamque tabulam atque erectam, inveniunt subter et aliam hoc Signum habentem. Qui et ipsam iussit auferri. Qua amota, repperiunt et tertiam.

And the slab, having been dug up and erected, they find beneath also another bearing this Sign. He ordered that one also to be removed. When that was removed, they discovered a third as well.

Iussuque eius cum et haec fuisset ablata, inveniunt magnum thesaurum habentem supra mille auri centenaria. Sublatumque aurum, pauperibus adhuc abundantius quam consueverat largitur. Narsis quoque patricius Italiae cum in quadam civitate intra Italiam domum magnam haberet, cum multis thesauris ad supra memoratam urbem advenit; ibique in domo sua occulte cisternam magnam fodit, in qua multa milia centenariorum auri argentique reposuit.

And by his order, when this too had been removed, they find a great treasure containing over one thousand centenaria of gold. And the gold having been taken up, he bestows it upon the poor even more abundantly than he had been accustomed. Narses also, the patrician of Italy, since he had a great house in a certain city within Italy, came with many treasures to the above-mentioned city; and there in his own house he secretly dug a great cistern, in which he stored many thousands of centenaria of gold and silver.

Interfectisque omnibus consciis, uni tantummodo seni haec per iuramentum ab eo exigens commendavit. Defuncto vero Narsete, supradictus senex ad Caesarem Tiberium veniens, dixit: "Si" inquit "mihi aliquid prodest, magnam rem tibi, Caesar, edicam". Cui ille: "Dic" ait "quod vis; proderitenim tibi, si quid nobis profuturum esse narraveris". "Thesaurum" inquit "Narsetis reconditum habeo quod in extremo vitae positus celare non possum." Tunc Caesar Tiberius gavisus mittit usque ad locum pueros suos. Recedente vero sene hi secuntur attoniti; pervenientesque ad cisternam, deopertamque ingrediuntur.

With all the accomplices slain, he entrusted these things to one old man only, exacting it from him by oath. But when Narses was deceased, the aforesaid elder, coming to Caesar Tiberius, said: "If," says he, "it benefits me at all, I will declare a great matter to you, Caesar." To whom he: "Say," he says, "what you wish; for it will be to your profit, if you tell us anything that will be of use to us." "The treasure," he says, "of Narses, hidden away, I have in keeping—and, being set at the extremity of life, I cannot conceal it." Then Caesar Tiberius, rejoicing, sends his pages to the place. And as the old man withdraws, these follow, astonished; and, coming to the cistern, the covering removed, they go in.

In qua tantum aurum vel argentum repertum est, ut per multos dies vix a deportantibus potuisset evacuari. Quae ille paene omnia secundum suum morem erogatione largiflua dispensavit egenis. Hic cum augustalem coronam accepturus esset, eumque iuxta consuetudinem ad spectaculum circi populus expectaret, insidias ei praeparans [Sophia Augusta], ut Iustinianum, Iustini nepotem, ad dignitatem imperatoriam sublimaret: ille per loca sancta prius procedens, dehinc vocatum ad se pontificem urbis, cum consulibus ac praefectis palatium ingressus, indutus purpura, diademate coronatus, throno imperiali inpositus, cum immensis laudibus in regni est gloria confirmatus.

In which so much gold and silver was found that for many days it could scarcely have been emptied out by those carrying it away. These things he dispensed almost all, to the needy, with lavish largess according to his custom. When he was about to receive the Augustal crown, and the people, according to custom, were awaiting him at the spectacle of the circus, [Sophia Augusta], laying plots against him, so that she might exalt Justinian, the nephew of Justin, to the imperial dignity: he, proceeding first through the holy places, then, the bishop of the city having been summoned to him, having entered the palace with the consuls and prefects, clothed in purple, crowned with the diadem, set upon the imperial throne, was confirmed with immense praises in the glory of the kingdom.

Quod eius adversarii audientes nihilque ei, qui in Deo spem suam posuerat, officere valentes, magno sunt confusianis pudore cooperti. Transactis autem paucis diebus, adveniens Iustinianus, pedibus se proiecit imperatoris, ab meritum gratiae quindecim ei auri centenaria deferens. Quem ille secundum patientiae suae ritum colligens, sibi in palatio assistere iussit.

Hearing this, his adversaries, able to do nothing to him who had placed his hope in God, were covered with great confusional shame. But after a few days had passed, Justinian, arriving, threw himself at the emperor’s feet, bringing to him, in requital for the favor, fifteen centenaria of gold. He, gathering him up according to the custom of his patience, ordered him to attend at his side in the palace.

Sophia vero Augusta, immemor promissionis quam condam in Tiberium habuerat, insidias ei temptavit ingerere. Procedente autem ea ad villam, ut iuxta ritum imperiale triginta diebus ad vindemiam iocundaretur, vacata clam Iustiniano, valuit eum sublimare in regna. Quo comperto, Tiberius cursu veloci Constantinopolim regreditur adprehensamque Augustam omnibus thesauris spoliavit, solum ei victus cottidiani alimentum relinquens.

But Sophia the Augusta, unmindful of the promise which she had once held toward Tiberius, attempted to thrust plots upon him. As she proceeded to a villa, that according to imperial custom she might make merry at the vintage for thirty days, the way being clear, secretly for Justinian she succeeded in exalting him to the realm. On learning this, Tiberius with swift course returns to Constantinople and, having apprehended the Augusta, despoiled her of all treasures, leaving to her only the nourishment of daily sustenance.

Segregatisque pueris eius ab ea, alias de fidelibus suis posuit, qui ei parerent, mandans prorsus, ut nullus de anterioribus ad eam haberet accessum. Iustinianum, vero verbis solummodo obiurgatum, tanto in posterum amore dilexit, ut filio eius filiam suam promitteret rursumque filio suo filiam eius expeteret. Sed haec res, quam ob causam nescio, ad effectum minime pervenit.

And with her attendants segregated from her, he set others from among his own faithful, who would obey her, expressly mandating that none of the earlier should have access to her. Justinian, however, only objurgated with words, he loved thereafter with so great a love that he promised his daughter to Justinian’s son and, in turn, sought Justinian’s daughter for his own son. But this matter, for what cause I do not know, by no means came to effect.

Huius exercitus ob ea directus Persas potentissime debellavit; victorque regrediens, tantam molem predae cum viginti pariter elefantis detulit, ut humanae crederetur posse sufficere cupiditati.

His army, dispatched on account of these things, most mightily defeated the Persians; and, returning as victor, he brought back such a mass of booty together with twenty elephants, that it was believed it could suffice for human cupidity.

13. Ad hunc Hilpericus Francorum rex suos legatos dirigens, multa ab ea ornamenta, aureas etiam singularum librarum suscepit, habentes ab una parte effigiem imperatoris et scriptum in circulo: TIBERII. CONSTANTINI. PERPETUI.

13. To him Hilperic, king of the Franks, sending his own legates, received from her many ornaments, and even gold medallions each of one pound, having on one side the effigy of the emperor and inscribed in a circle: TIBERII. CONSTANTINI. PERPETUI.

AUGUSTI, ab alia vero parte habentes quadrigam et ascensorem continentes scriptum: GLORIA. ROMANORUM. Huius in diebus beatus Gregorius diaconus, qui post papa extitit, cum esset apocrisarius, apud eandem regiam urbem, Morales libros composuit Euthiciumque eiusdem urbis episcopum de resurrectione errantem in conspectu eiusdem Augusti superavit.

AUGUSTUS, but on the other side having a quadriga and a rider, containing the inscription: GLORIA. ROMANORUM. In his days the blessed Gregory the deacon, who afterwards was pope, when he was apocrisiary, at that same royal city composed the Moral Books, and he overcame Eutychius, bishop of the same city, erring about the resurrection, in the presence of the same Augustus.

Hac etiam tempestate Faroald, primus Spolitanorum dux, cum Langobardorum exercitu Classem invadens, opulentam urbem spoliatam cunctis divitiis nudam reliquit.

At this same time as well, Faroald, the first duke of the Spolitans, with the army of the Langobards, attacking Classis, left the opulent city, despoiled of all riches, bare.

14. Mortuo vero apud Aquileiam patriarcha Probino, qui ecclesiam unum rexerat annum, eidem ecclesiae sacerdos Helias praeficitur.

14. Indeed, with the patriarch Probinus having died at Aquileia, who had ruled the church for one year, the priest Helias is set over the same church.

15. Tiberius igitur Constantinus postquam imperium septem rexerat annis, sentiens sibi diem mortis imminere, una cum consilio Sophiae Augustae Mauricium, genere Cappadocem, virum strenuum, ad imperium elegit, ornatamque suam filiam regalibus ornamentis, ei eam tradidit, dicens: "Sit tibi imperium meum cum hac puella concessum. Utere eo felix, memor semper, ut aequitate et iustitia delecteris". Haec postquam dixit, de hac luce ad aeternam patriam migravit, magnum luctum populis de sua morte relinquens. Fuit enim summae bonitatis, in elemosinis promptus, in iudiciis iustus, in iudicando cautissimus, nullum despiciens, sed omnes in bona voluntate complectens; omnes diligens, ipse quoque est dilectus a cunctis.

15. Therefore Tiberius Constantine, after he had ruled the empire for seven years, feeling that the day of death was impending for him, together with the counsel of Sophia Augusta chose Maurice, a Cappadocian by birth, a vigorous man, to the empire, and, his daughter adorned with royal ornaments, he handed her over to him, saying: "Let my empire be granted to you together with this girl. Use it happily, always mindful to take delight in equity and justice." After he said these things, he migrated from this light to the eternal fatherland, leaving great mourning to the peoples over his death. For he was of the highest goodness, prompt in alms, just in judgments, most cautious in judging, despising no one, but embracing all in good will; loving all, he himself also was loved by all.

Quo defuncto, Mauricius indutus purpura, redimitus diademate, ad circum processit, adclamatisque sibi laudibus, largita populo munera, primus ex Grecorum genere in imperio confirmatus est.

Upon his death, Maurice, clad in purple and wreathed with a diadem, proceeded to the circus, and with acclamations of praise raised for him, having bestowed largess upon the people, was confirmed in the imperial power as the first of the Greek stock.

16. At vero Langobardi cum per annos decem sub potestate ducum fuissent, tandem communi consilio Authari, Clephonis filium supra memorati principis, regem sibi statuerunt. Quem etiam ob dignitatem Flavium appellarunt. Quo praenomine omnes qui postea fuerunt Langobardorum reges feliciter usi sunt.

16. But indeed, when the Langobards had been under the power of dukes for 10 years, at length by common counsel they appointed for themselves Authari, the son of Clephon, the above-mentioned prince, as king. Him also, on account of dignity, they called Flavius. Which praenomen all the kings of the Langobards who came afterward used happily.

Huius in diebus ob restaurationem regni duces qui tunc erant omnem substantiarum suarum medietatem regalibus usibus tribuunt, ut esse possit, unde rex ipse sive qui ei adhaererent eiusque obsequiis per diversa officia dediti alerentur. Populi tamen adgravati per Langobardos hospites partiuntur. Erat sane hoc mirabile in regno Langobardorum: nulla erat violentia, nullae struebantur insidiae; nemo aliquem iniuste angariabat, nemo spoliabat; non erant furta, non latrocinia; unusquisque quo libebat securus sine timore pergebat.

In his days, on account of the restoration of the kingdom, the dukes who were then in office granted one half of all their substance to royal uses, so that there might be the means from which the king himself, or those who adhered to him and were devoted to his services through diverse offices, might be sustained. The peoples, however, being burdened, were apportioned to the Langobard “guests.” Truly this was marvelous in the kingdom of the Langobards: there was no violence, no ambushes were contrived; no one unjustly exacted forced service of anyone, no one despoiled; there were no thefts, no robberies; each person, whither he pleased, went forth secure and without fear.

17. Hoc tempore Mauricius imperator Childeperto regi Francorum quinquaginta milia solidos per legatos suos direxit, ut cum exercitu super Langobardos inrueret eosque de Italia exterminaret. Qui cum innumera Francorum multitudine in Italiam subito introivit. Langobardi vero in civitatibus se communientes, intercurrentibus legatis oblatisque muneribus, pacem cum Childeberto fecerunt.

17. At this time Emperor Maurice sent, through his legates, fifty thousand solidi to King Childepert of the Franks, that he might rush upon the Langobards with an army and exterminate them from Italy. He, with an innumerable multitude of Franks, suddenly entered into Italy. But the Langobards, fortifying themselves in the cities, with legates running between and gifts proffered, made peace with Childepert.

Qui cum ad Gallias remeasset, cognito imperator Mauricius, quia cum Langobardis foedus inierit, solidos, quos ei ob Langobardorum detrimentum dederat, repetere coepit. Sed ille suarum virium potentia fretus, pro hac re nec responsum reddere voluit.

When he had returned to Gaul, Emperor Maurice, having learned that he had entered into a treaty with the Langobards, began to demand back the solidi which he had given him for the Langobards’ overthrow. But he, relying on the power of his own forces, did not wish even to return an answer in this matter.

18. His ita gestis, Authari rex Brexillum civitatem super Padi marginem positam expugnare adgressus est. In qua Droctulft dux a Langobardis confugerat, seque partibus imperatoris tradens, sociatus militibus, Langobardorum exercitui fortiter resistebat. Iste ex Suavorum, hoc est Alamannorum, gente oriundus, inter Langobardos creverat et, quia erat forma idoneus, ducatus honorem emeruerat; sed cum occasionem ulciscendae suae captivitatis repperit, contra Langobardorum ilico arma surrexit.

18. With these things thus done, King Authari set about to storm the city Brexillum, placed upon the margin of the Po. In it the duke Droctulft had taken refuge from the Langobards, and, handing himself over to the emperor’s party, joined with soldiers, he was bravely resisting the army of the Langobards. This man, sprung from the nation of the Suevi, that is, the Alemanni, had grown up among the Langobards and, because he was suitable in form, had earned the honor of a dukedom; but when he found an occasion for avenging his own captivity, he straightway rose in arms against the Langobards.

Adversus quem Langobardi gravia bella gesserunt, tandemque eum cum militibus quos iuvabat exuperantes, Ravennam cedere compulerunt. Brexillus capta est, muri quoque eius solum ad usque destructi sunt. Post haec Authari rex cum Smaracdo patricio, qui tunc Ravennae preerat, usque in annum tertium pacem fecit.

Against whom the Langobards waged grievous wars, and at length, overmatching him together with the soldiers whom he was aiding, they compelled him to withdraw to Ravenna. Brexillum was captured, and its walls also were destroyed down to the very ground. After these things King Authari made peace with the patrician Smaragdus, who at that time was presiding at Ravenna, for three years.

19. Huius sane Droctulft, de quo praemisimus, amminiculo saepe Ravennatium milites adversum Langobardos dimicarunt, extructaque classe, Langobardos, qui Classem urbem tenebant, hoc adiuvante pepulerunt. Cui, cum vitae explesset terminum, honorabile sepulchrum ante limina Beati Vitalis martyris tribuentes, tali eius laudes epitaphio extulerunt:

19. By the aid of this Droctulf, of whom we have premised above, the soldiers of the Ravennates often fought against the Langobards, and, a fleet having been built, they drove out the Langobards who were holding the city of Classis, with this man assisting. To him, when he had completed the term of life, granting an honorable sepulcher before the thresholds of Blessed Vitalis the martyr, they exalted his praises with such an epitaph:

Clauditur hoc tumulo, tantum sed corpore, Drocton;
Nam meritis toto vivit in orbe suis.
Cum Bardis fuit ipse quidem, nam gente Suavus;
Omnibus et populis inde suavis erat.
Terribilis visu facies, sed mente benignus,
Longaque robusto pectore barba fuit.

He is enclosed in this tomb, but only in body, Drocton;
for by his merits he lives in the whole orb.
He was indeed with the Langobards, for by race a Sueve;
and so he was suave to all peoples.
A face terrible to see, but benign in mind,
and his beard was long upon a robust breast.

Hic et amans semper Romana ac publica signa,
Vastator genti adfuit ipse suae.
Contempsit caros, dum nos amat ille, parentes,
Hanc patriam reputans esse, Ravenna, suam.
Huius prima fuit Brexilli gloria capti;
Quo residens cunctis hostibus horror erat.

Here too, ever loving the Roman and public standards,
he himself was present as a devastator to his own nation.
He despised dear parents, while he loves us,
reckoning this fatherland, Ravenna, to be his own.
His was the earliest glory of the capture of Brexillum;
and, sitting there, he was a terror to all enemies.

Quo Romana potens valuit post signa iubare,
Vexillum primum Christus habere dedit.
Inde etiam, retinet dum Classem fraude Faroaldus,
Vindicet ut Classem, classibus arma parat.
Puppibus exiguis decertans amne Badrino,
Bardorum innumeras vicit et ipse manus.

Under which the mighty Roman power was able to shine with radiance after its standards,
Christ granted to bear the first vexillum.
Then also, while Faroald holds Classe by fraud,
so that he might vindicate Classe, he prepares arms with fleets.
Fighting it out with slight ships on the river Badrinus,
he himself defeated innumerable bands of Bards.

Rursus et in terris Avarem superavit eois,
Conquirens dominis maxima lucra suis.
Martyris auxilio Vitalis fultus, ad istos
Pervenit victor saepe triumphos ovans;
Cuius et in templis petiit sua membra iacere,
Haec loca post mortem bustis habere iubat.
Ipse sacerdotem moriens petit ista Iohannem,
His rediit terris cuius amore pio.

Again too in the eastern lands he overcame the Avar,
acquiring for his lords the greatest lucre.
Upheld by the aid of the martyr Vitalis, to these
triumphs he came, often ovating as victor;
and in whose temples he sought that his limbs might lie,
he bids that these places after death have as tombs.
He himself, dying, asked these things of the priest John,
by whose pious love he returned to these lands.

20. Denique post Benedictum papam Pelagius Romanae ecclesiae pontifex absque iussione principis ordinatus est, eo quod Langobardi Romam per circuitum obsiderent, nec posset quisquam a Roma progredi. Hic Pelagius Heliae Aquileiensi episcopo, nolenti tria capitula Calchidonensis synodi suscipere, epistolam satis utilem misit, quam beatus Gregorius, cum esset adhuc diaconus, conscripsit.

20. Finally, after Pope Benedict, Pelagius, pontiff of the Roman church, was ordained without the command of the prince, because the Langobards were besieging Rome all around, and no one could advance from Rome. This Pelagius sent a quite useful epistle to Elias, bishop of Aquileia, unwilling to accept the Three Chapters of the Synod of Chalcedon, which blessed Gregory, when he was still a deacon, composed.

21. Interea Childebertus rex Francorum bellum adversum Hispanos gerens, eosdem acie superavit. Causa autem huius certaminis ista fuit. Childebertus rex Ingundem sororem suam Herminigildo, Levigildi Hispanorum regis filio, in coniugium tradiderat.

21. Meanwhile Childebert, king of the Franks, waging war against the Spaniards, overcame them in the battle-line. But the cause of this contest was this: King Childebert had delivered Ingund, his sister, in marriage to Hermenegild, the son of Leovigild, king of the Spaniards.

Qui Herminigildus praedicatione Leandri episcopi Hispalensis atque adhortatione suae coniugis ab Arriana heresi, qua pater suus languebat, ad catholicam fidem conversus fuerat. Quem pater impius in ipso sacrato paschali die securi percussum interemerat. Ingundis vero post mariti et martyris funus de Hispanis fugiens, dum Gallias repedare vellet, in manus militum incidens, qui in limite adversum Hispanos Gothos residebant, cum parvo filio capta atque in Siciliam ducta est ibique diem clausit extremum.

This Hermenegild, by the predication of Leander, bishop of Seville, and by the exhortation of his wife, had been converted from the Arian heresy, with which his father was languishing, to the catholic faith. His impious father had slain him, struck with an axe, on that very sacred Paschal day. But Ingundis, fleeing from the Spaniards after the funeral of her husband and martyr, while she wished to return to Gaul, fell into the hands of soldiers who were stationed on the frontier against the Goths of Spain; captured with her little son and led into Sicily, there she closed her last day.

Filius vero eius imperatori Mauricio Constantinopolim est transmissus.

But her son was sent to Emperor Maurice at Constantinople.

22. Rursum Mauricius Augustus legatos ad Childebertum mittens, eum, ut contra Langobardos in Italiam exercitum dirigeret, persuasit. Childebertus existimans suam adhuc germanam apud Constantinopolim vivere, legatis Mauricii adquiescens, ut suam possit sororem recipere, iterum adversus Langobardos Francorum exercitum ad Italiam direxit. Contra quos dum Langobardorum acies properarent, Franci et Alamanni dissensionem inter se ha bentes, sine ullius lucri conquisitione ad patriam sunt reversi.

22. Again, Maurice Augustus, sending legates to Childebert, persuaded him to direct an army into Italy against the Langobards. Childebert, supposing his sister was still living at Constantinople, acquiescing in Maurice’s legates, so that he might be able to recover his sister, again sent the army of the Franks against the Langobards into Italy. Against whom, while the battle-line of the Langobards was hastening, the Franks and the Alemanni, having dissension among themselves, returned to their fatherland without the acquisition of any profit.

23. Eo tempore fuit aquae diluvium in finibus Venetiarum et Liguriae seu ceteris regionibus Italiae, quale post Noe tempore creditur non fuisse. Factae sunt lavinae pos sessionum seu villarum, hominumque pariter et animan tium magnus interitus. Destructa sunt itinera, dissipatae viae, tantumtuncque Atesis fluvius excrevit, ut circa basilicam Beati Zenonis martyris, quae extra Veronensis ur bis muros sita est, usque ad superiores fenestras aqua per tingeret, licet, sicut et beatus Gregorius post papa scri psit, in eandem basilicam aqua minime introierit.

23. At that time there was a deluge of water in the confines of Venetia and Liguria and likewise the other regions of Italy, such as is believed not to have been since the time of Noah. There were landslides of estates and of villas, and a great destruction of men and likewise of animals. The routes were destroyed, the roads were scattered; and the Atesis river then swelled so greatly that, around the basilica of the Blessed Zeno the martyr, which is situated outside the walls of the city of Verona, the water reached up to the upper windows—although, as also the blessed Gregory, afterwards pope, wrote, the water by no means entered that same basilica.

Urbis quoque eiusdem Veronensis muri ex parte aliqua eadem sunt inundatione subruti. Facta est autem haec inundatio sexto decimo kalendas novembris. Sed tantae coruscatio nes et tonitrua fuerunt, quantae fieri vix aestivo tempore solent.

Also the walls of that same city of Verona were in some part undermined by the same inundation. Moreover, this inundation occurred on the 16th day before the Kalends of November (October 17). But there were coruscations and thunders so great as scarcely are wont to occur in summertime.

Post duos quoque menses eadem urbs Veronen sium magna ex parte incendio concremata est.

After two months as well, that same city of the Veronese was, for the most part, consumed by fire.

24. In hac diluvii effusione in tantum apud urbem Ro mam fluvius Tiberis excrevit, ut aquae eius super muros urbis influerent et maximas in ea regiones occuparent. Tunc per alveum eiusdem fluminis cum multa serpentium multitudine draco etiam mirae magnitudinis per urbem transiens usque ad mare discendit. Subsecuta statim est hanc inundationem gravissima pestilentia, quam inguina riam appellant.

24. In this outpouring of the deluge, the river Tiber swelled so greatly at the city of Rome that its waters flowed over the walls of the city and occupied the greatest regions in it. Then along the channel of the same river, with a great multitude of serpents, a dragon too of wondrous magnitude, passing through the city, descended all the way to the sea. Immediately there followed upon this inundation a most grievous pestilence, which they call the inguinal plague.

Quae tanta strage populum devastavit, ut de inaestimabili multitudine vix pauci remanerent. Pri mumque Pelagium papam, virum venerabilem, perculit et sine mora extinxit. Deinde, pastore interempto, sese per populos extendit.

which devastated the people with so great a slaughter, that out of an inestimable multitude scarcely a few remained. And first it struck down Pelagius the pope, a venerable man, and without delay extinguished him. Then, with the shepherd slain, it extended itself through the peoples.

In hac tanta tribulatione beatissimus Gregorius, qui tunc levita erat, a cunctis generaliter papa electus est. Qui dum septiformem laetaniam fieri ordinasset, intra unius horae spatium, dum hi Deum deprecarentur, octuaginta ex eis subito ad terram corruentes, spiritum exalarunt. Septiformis autem laetania ideo dicta est, quia omnis urbis populus a beato Gregorio in septem partes deprecaturus Dominum est divisus.

In this so great tribulation, the most blessed Gregory, who was then a deacon, was by all universally chosen as pope. And when he had ordered that a sevenfold litany be held, within the span of one hour, while these were beseeching God, 80 of them, suddenly collapsing to the ground, exhaled their spirit. It is called a sevenfold litany for this reason, because the whole populace of the city, to beseech the Lord, was divided by blessed Gregory into seven parts.

In primo namque choro fuit omnis clerus, in secundo omnes abbates cum monachis suis, in tertio omnes abbatissae cum congregationibus suis, in quarto omnes infantes, in quinto omnes laici, in sexto universae viduae, in septimo omnes mulieres coniugatae. Ideo autem de beato Gregorio plura dicere obmittimus, quia iam ante aliquot annos eius vitam, Deo auxiliante, texuimus. In qua quae dicenda fuerant iuxta tenuitatis nostrae vires universa descripsimus.

For in the first choir was all the clergy, in the second all the abbots with their monks, in the third all the abbesses with their congregations, in the fourth all the infants, in the fifth all the laity, in the sixth all the widows, in the seventh all married women. Therefore, moreover, about blessed Gregory we omit to say more, because already some years before, with God aiding, we have woven his life; in which we have described all the things that were to be said according to the powers of our tenuity.

25. Hoc tempore isdem beatus Gregorius Augustinum et Mellitum et Iohannem cum aliis pluribus monachis timentibus Deum in Brittaniam misit eorumque praedicatione ad Christum Anglos convertit.

25. At this time the same blessed Gregory sent Augustine and Mellitus and John into Britain with many other God-fearing monks, and by their preaching he converted the Angles to Christ.

26. His diebus, defuncto Helia Aquileiensi patriarcha postquam quindecim annos sacerdotium gesserat, Severus huic succedens regendam suscepit ecclesiam. Quem Smaracdus patricius veniens de Ravenna in Gradus, per semet ipsum e basilica extrahens, Ravennam cum iniuria duxit cum aliis tribus ex Histria episcopis, id est Iohanne Parentino et Severo atqueVindemio, necnon etiam Antonio iam sene Ecclesiae defensore. Quibus comminans exilia atque violentiam inferens, communicare conpulit Iohanni Ravennati episcopo, trium capitulorum damnatori, qui a tempore papae Vigilii vel Pelagii a Romanae Ecclesiae desciverat societate.

26. In these days, Helias, the Aquileian patriarch, having died, after he had borne the priesthood for 15 years, Severus, succeeding to him, undertook to govern the church. Smaragdus the patrician, coming from Ravenna to Grado, dragging him out of the basilica by himself, led him with outrage to Ravenna together with three other bishops from Histria, that is, John of Parentium and Severus and Vindemius, and also Antony, now an old man, a defender of the Church. Threatening them with exiles and bringing violence to bear, he compelled them to communicate with John, bishop of Ravenna, a condemner of the Three Chapters, who from the time of Pope Vigilius or Pelagius had defected from the fellowship of the Roman Church.

Exempto vero anno, e Ravenna ad Gradus reversi sunt. Quibus nec plebs communicare voluit, nec ceteri episcopi eos receperunt. Smaracdus patricius a daemonio non iniuste correptus, successorem Romanum patricium accipiens, Constantinopolim remeavit.

But after a year had passed, they returned from Ravenna to Grado. With them neither did the plebs wish to communicate, nor did the other bishops receive them. Smaragdus the patrician, not unjustly seized by a demon, accepting as successor Romanus the Patrician, returned to Constantinople.

Post haec facta est sinodus decem episcoporum in Mariano, ubi receperunt Severum patriarcham Aquilei .ensem dantem libellum erroris sui, quia trium capitulorum damnatoribus communicarat Ravennae. Nomina vero episcoporum qui se ab hoc scismate cohibuerunt haec sunt: Petrus de Altino, Clarissimus [Concordiensis], Ingenuinus de Sabione, Agnellus Tridentinus, Iunior Veronensis, Horontius Vicentinus, Rusticus de Tarvisio, Fonteius Feltrinus, Agnellus de Acilo, Laurentius Bellunensis, Maxentius Iuliensis et Adrianus Polensis. Cum patriarcha autem communicaverunt isti episcopi: Severus, Parentinus Iohannes, Patricius, Vindemius et Iohannes.

After these things a synod of ten bishops was held in Mariano, where they received Severus, the Aquileian patriarch, giving a libellus of his error, because at Ravenna he had communicated with the condemners of the Three Chapters. Now the names of the bishops who restrained themselves from this schism are as follows: Peter of Altinum, Clarissimus [of Concordia], Ingenuinus of Sabione, Agnellus of Tridentum, Junior of Verona, Horontius of Vicenza, Rusticus of Tarvisium, Fonteius of Feltre, Agnellus of Acilo, Laurentius of Bellunum, Maxentius of Iulium, and Adrianus of Pola. With the patriarch, however, these bishops communicated: Severus, John of Parentium, Patricius, Vindemius, and John.

27. Hac tempestate rex Authari ad Histriam exercitum misit; cui exercitui Evin dux Tridentinus praefuit. Qui post praedas et incendia, facta pace in annum unum, magnam pecuniam regi detulerunt. Alii quoque Langobardi in insula Comacina Francionem magistrum militum, qui adhuc de Narsetis parte fuerat et iam se per viginti annos continuerat, obsidebant.

27. At this time King Authari sent an army to Histria; over which army Evin, the Tridentine duke, presided. They, after depredations and burnings, a peace having been made for one year, brought a great sum of money to the king. Other Lombards also on the Comacina island were besieging Francion, master of soldiers, who had still been of the party of Narses and had already held himself in for twenty years.

Qui Francio post sex menses obsidionis suae Langobardis eandem insulam tradidit, ipse vero, ut optaverat, dimissus a rege, cum sua uxore et supellectili Ravennam properavit. Inventae sunt in eadem insula divitiae multae, quae ibi de singulis fuerant civitatibus commendatae.

Francio, after six months of his siege, delivered the same island to the Langobards; he himself, as he had desired, having been released by the king, hastened to Ravenna with his wife and household furnishings. Many riches were found in the same island, which had there been entrusted from the several cities.

28. At vero Flavius rex Authari legatos ad Childebertum misit, petens eius germanam suo matrimonio sociari. Cumque Childebertus, acceptis muneribus a Langobardorum legatis, suam germanam eorum regi se daturum promisisset, advenientibus tamen Gothorum de Hispania legatis, eandem suam germanam, eo quod gentem illam ad fidem catholicam conversam fuisse cognoverat, repromisit.

28. But indeed Flavius King Authari sent legates to Childebert, seeking that his sister be united to his marriage. And when Childebert, having received gifts from the legates of the Langobards, had promised that he would give his sister to their king, nevertheless, with the legates of the Goths from Spain arriving, he repromised that same sister, because he had learned that that nation had been converted to the catholic faith.

29. Inter haec legationem ad imperatorem Mauricium direxit, mandans ei, ut, quod prius non fecerat, nunc contra Langobardorum gentem bellum susciperet atque cum eius consilio eos ab Italia removeret. Qui nihil moratus, exercitum suum ad Langobardorum debellationem in Italiam direxit. Cui Authari rex et Langobardorum acies non segniter obviam pergunt proque libertatis statu fortiter confligunt.

29. Meanwhile he directed an embassy to Emperor Maurice, instructing him that, what he had not done before, he should now undertake war against the nation of the Langobards and, with his counsel, remove them from Italy. He, delaying not at all, dispatched his army into Italy for the debellation of the Langobards. Against him King Authari and the battle-line of the Langobards go forth to meet them not sluggishly, and they fight bravely on behalf of the estate of liberty.

In ea pugna Langobardi victoriam capiunt; Franci vehementer caesi, nonnulli capti, plurimi etiam per fugam elapsi vix ad patriam revertuntur. Tantaque ibi strages facta est de Francorum exercitu quanta usquam alibi non memoratur. Mirandum sane est cur Secundus, qui aliqua de Langobardorum gestis scripsit, hanc tantam eorum victoriam praeterierit, cum haec quae praemisimus de Francorum interitu in eorum historia eisdem ipsis paene verbis exarata legantur.

In that battle the Lombards seize victory; the Franks are vehemently cut down, some captured, very many also, having slipped away in flight, scarcely return to their fatherland. And so great a slaughter was made there of the army of the Franks as is nowhere else recorded. It is indeed a matter for wonder why Secundus, who wrote some things about the deeds of the Lombards, passed over this so great victory of theirs, since these things which we have set forth above about the destruction of the Franks are read in their history written down in almost these very same words.

30. Flavius vero rex Authari legatos post haec ad Baioariam misit, qui Garibaldi eorum regis filiam sibi in matrimonium peterent. Quos ille benigne suscipiens, Theudelindam suam filiam Authari se daturum promisit. Qui legati revertentes cum haec Authari nuntiassent, ille per semet ipsum suam sponsam videre cupiens, paucis secum sed expeditis ex Langobardis adhibitis, unumque sibi fidelissimum et quasi seniorem secum ducens, sine mora ad Baioariam perrexit.

30. But Flavius, King Authari, after this sent legates to Bavaria, to ask for the daughter of their king Garibald for himself in marriage. He, receiving them kindly, promised that he would give his daughter Theudelinda to Authari. When the legates, returning, had announced these things to Authari, he, wishing personally to see his betrothed, taking with him a few, but picked, of the Langobards, and leading with him one most faithful to him and, as it were, an elder, went without delay to Bavaria.

Qui cum in conspectum Garibaldi regis iuxta morem legatorum introducti essent et is qui cum Authari quasi senior venerat post salutationem verba, ut moris est, intulisset: Authari, cum a nullo illius gentis cognosceretur, ad regem Garibaldum propinquius accedens ait: "Dominus meus Authari rex me proprie ob hoc direxit, ut vestram filiam, ipsius sponsam, quae nostra domina futura est, debeam conspicere, ut qualis eius forma sit, meo valeam domino certius nuntiare". Cumque rex haec audiens filiam venire iussisset, eamque Authari, ut erat satis eleganti forma, tacito nutu contemplatus esset, eique satis per omnia conplacuisset, ait ad regem: "Quia talem filiae vestrae personam cernimus, ut eam merito nostram reginam fieri optemus, si placet vestrae potestati, de eius manu, sicut nobis postea factura est, vini poculum sumere preoptamus". Cumque rex id ut fieri deberet, annuisset, illa, accepto vini poculo, ei prius qui senior esse videbatur propinavit. Deinde cum Authari, quem suum esse sponsum nesciebat, porrexisset, ille, postquam bibit ac poculum redderet, eius manum, nemine animadvertente, digito tetigit dexteramque suam sibi a fronte per nasum ac faciem produxit. Illa hoc suae nutrici rubore perfusa nuntiavit.

When they had been brought into the presence of King Garibald according to the custom of legates, and the one who had come with Authari as, so to speak, the elder had, after the salutation, introduced words, as is the custom, Authari—since he was recognized by none of that people—approaching nearer to King Garibald, said: "My lord King Authari has expressly sent me for this purpose, that I ought to behold your daughter, his betrothed, who is to be our lady, so that what her form is like I may be able to report more surely to my lord." And when the king, hearing this, had ordered his daughter to come, and Authari, as she was of quite elegant form, had contemplated her with a silent nod, and she had pleased him sufficiently in all respects, he said to the king: "Because we discern such a person in your daughter that we rightly desire her to become our queen, if it pleases your authority, we very much prefer to take a cup of wine from her hand, just as she will afterward do for us." And when the king had nodded assent that this should be done, she, having received the cup of wine, first proffered a drink to him who seemed to be the elder. Then, when she extended it to Authari, whom she did not know to be her betrothed, he, after he drank and returned the cup, touched her hand with his finger, no one noticing, and drew his right hand for himself from his brow down over his nose and face. She, suffused with blush, reported this to her nurse.

Cui nutrix sua ait: "Iste nisi ipse rex et sponsus tuus esset, te omnino tangere non auderet. Sed interim sileamus, ne hoc patri tuo fiat cognitum. Re enim vera digna persona est, quae tenere debeat regnum et tuo sociari coniugio". Erat autem tunc Authari iuvenili aetate floridus, statura decens, candido crine perfusus et satis decorus aspectu.

To whom her nurse said: "That man, unless he were himself the king and your betrothed, would not at all dare to touch you. But meanwhile let us be silent, lest this become known to your father. For in real truth he is a worthy person, who ought to hold the kingdom and to be united with you in marriage." But at that time Authari was blooming in youthful age, of comely stature, suffused with fair hair, and quite comely in aspect.

Qui mox, a rege comeatu accepto, iter patriam reversuri arripiunt deque Noricorum finibus festinanter abscedunt. Noricorum siquidem provincia, quam Baioariorum populus inhabitat, habet ab oriente Pannoniam, ab occidente Suaviam, a meridie Italiam, ab aquilonis vero parte Danubii fluenta. Igitur Authari cum iam prope Italiae fines venisset secumque adhuc qui eum deducebant Baioarios haberet, erexit se quantum super equum cui praesidebat potuit et toto adnisu securiculam, quam manu gestabat, in arborem quae proximior aderat fixit eamque fixam reliquit, adiciens haec insuper verbis: "Talem Authari feritam facere solet". Cumque haec dixisset, tunc intellexerunt Baioarii qui cum eo comitabantur, eum ipsum regem Authari esse.

They soon, having received leave of absence from the king, take up the journey to return to their fatherland and hastily withdraw from the borders of the Norici. For indeed the province of the Norici, which the people of the Baiovarii inhabits, has on the east Pannonia, on the west Swabia, on the south Italy, and on the north the streams of the Danube. Therefore Authari, when he had now come near the borders of Italy and still had with him the Baiovarii who were conducting him, raised himself as much as he could upon the horse which he bestrode, and with all exertion fixed the little axe which he was carrying in his hand into a tree which was nearest at hand, and left it fixed, adding these words besides: "Such a stroke Authari is wont to make." And when he had said these things, then the Baiovarii who were accompanying him understood that he himself was King Authari.

Denique post aliquod tempus, cum propter Francorum adventum perturbatio Garibaldo regi advenisset, Theudelinda, eius filia, cum suo germano nomine Gundoald ad Italiam confugiit seque adventare Authari suo sponso nuntiavit. Cui statim ille obviam cum magno apparatu nuptias celebraturus in campum Sardis, qui super Veronam est, occurrens, eandem cunctis laetantibus in coniugium idus maias accepit. Erat autem tunc ibi inter ceteros Langobardorum duces Agilulf dux Taurinensium civitatis.

Finally, after some time, when, on account of the advent of the Franks, a perturbation had come upon King Garibald, Theudelinda, his daughter, fled for refuge to Italy with her brother named Gundoald, and she announced to Authari, her betrothed, that she was arriving. To meet her, he straightway, with great apparatus, intending to celebrate the nuptials, came into the plain of Sardis, which is above Verona, and, with all rejoicing, received her into marriage on the Ides of May. Now there was then there among the other dukes of the Langobards Agilulf, duke of the city of the Taurinians.

Quo in loco cum perturbato aere lignum quoddam, quod in regiis septis situm erat, cum magno tonitruorum fragore vi fulminis ictum fuisset, habebat tunc Agilulf quendam de suis aruspicem puerum, qui per artem diabolicam, quid futurum portenderent ictus fulminum, intellegebat. Qui secrete, cum Agilulf ad requisita naturae resideret, eidem dixit: "Mulier ista, quae modo regi nostro nupsit, tua non post multum coniux futura est". Quod ille audiens, caput se eius amputaturum, si hac de re amplius aliquid diceret, comminatus est. Cui ille: "Ego quidem" inquit "occidi possum, [sed fata nequeunt immutari]; nam certe ad hoc ista in hanc patriam femina venit, ut tuis debeat nuptiis copulari". Quod ita quoque post factum est.

In that place, when the air having been disturbed a certain piece of timber, which was set within the royal enclosures, had been struck by the force of lightning with a great crash of thunders, Agilulf then had among his own a certain haruspex, a youth, who through diabolic art understood what the strokes of lightning portended of the future. Who secretly, when Agilulf sat down for the requisites of nature, said to him: "This woman, who has just married our king, will before long be your spouse." Hearing this, he threatened that he would cut off his head if he said anything more about this matter. To whom he said: "I indeed can be killed, [but the fates cannot be changed]; for certainly for this has this woman come into this country, that she ought to be joined to your nuptials." Which likewise afterwards came to pass.

Hoc tempore, quam ob causam incertum, Ansul cognatus regis Authari, apud Veronam est interfectus.

At this time, for what cause is uncertain, Ansul, kinsman of King Authari, was slain at Verona.

31. Hac etiam tempestate Grippo, legatus Childeberti regis Francorum, cum a Constantinopoli remeasset et eidem regi suo, quomodo honorifice ab imperatore Mauricio susceptus fuisset, nuntiasset, et quia iniurias, quas apud Carthaginem perpessus fuerat, imperator ad voluntatem Childeberti regis ultum iri promisisset: Childebertus confestim iterato in Italiam exercitum Francorum cum viginti ducibus ad debellandam Langobardorum gentem direxit. E quibus ducibus Audoaldus et Olo et Cedinus eminentiores fuerunt. Sed Olo cum inportune ad Bilitionis castrum accessisset, iaculo sub mamilla sauciatus cecidit et mortuus est.

31. At this same season Grippo, legate of Childebert, king of the Franks, when he had returned from Constantinople and had announced to that his king how honorifically he had been received by Emperor Maurice, and that, because of the injuries which he had suffered at Carthage, the emperor had promised they would be avenged according to the wish of King Childebert: Childebert immediately once again sent into Italy an army of Franks with twenty dukes to bring the nation of the Langobards to decisive defeat. Of these dukes Audoald, Olo, and Cedinus were more eminent. But Olo, when he had inopportunely approached the fortress of Bilitionis, wounded by a javelin beneath the breast, fell and died.

Reliqui vero Franci cum egressi fuissent ad praedandum, a Langobardis inruentibus passim per loca singula prostemebantur. At vero Audoaldus et sex duces Francorum ad Mediolanensium urbem advenientes, ibi eminus in campestribus castra posuerunt. Quo loco ad eos imperatoris legati venerunt, nuntiantes adesse exercitum in solatio eorum dicentesque quia: "Post triduum cum eisdem veniemus et hoc vobis erit signum: cum videritis villae huius, quae in monte sita est, domus incendio concremari et fumum incendii ad caelos usque sustolli, noveritis nos cum exercitu, quem pollicemur, adventare". Sed expectantes Francorum duces diebus sex iuxta placitum, nullum ex his [de] quibus legati imperatoris promiserant, venisse, contemplati sunt.

But the remaining Franks, when they had gone out to plunder, as the Langobards were rushing in, were laid low everywhere, in each several place. But indeed Audoald and six dukes of the Franks, arriving at the city of the Milanese, there at a distance on the plains set up camp. In that place the emperor’s legates came to them, announcing that an army was present for their relief and saying that: "After three days we will come with those same men, and this will be a sign for you: when you see the houses of this village, which is situated on the mountain, being consumed by fire, and the smoke of the conflagration lifted even to the heavens, know that we, with the army which we promise, are approaching". But the Frankish dukes, waiting for six days according to the agreement, observed that none of those [of] whom the emperor’s legates had promised had come.

Cedinus autem cum tredecim ducibus laevam Italiae ingressus, quinque castella cepit, a quibus etiam sacramenta exegit. Pervenit etiam exercitus Francorum usque Veronam, et deposuerunt castra plurima per pacem post sacramenta data, quae se eis crediderant nullum ab eis dolum existimantes. Nomina autem castrorum quae diruerunt in territorio Tridentino ista sunt: Tesana, Maletum, Sermiana, Appianum, Fagitana, Cimbra, Vitianum, Bremtonicum, Volaenes, Ennemase, et duo in Alsuca et unum in Verona.

But Cedinus, having entered the left-hand part of Italy with thirteen dukes, seized five forts, from whose people he also exacted oaths. The army of the Franks likewise came as far as Verona, and they pulled down very many forts in peace after oaths had been given—those who had entrusted themselves to them supposing no deceit from them. Now the names of the forts which they razed in the Tridentine territory are these: Tesana, Maletum, Sermiana, Appianum, Fagitana, Cimbra, Vitianum, Bremtonicum, Volaenes, Ennemase, and two in Alsuca and one in Verona.

Haec omnia castra cum diruta essent a Francis, cives universi ab eis ducti sunt captivi. Pro Ferruge vero castro, intercedentibus episcopis Ingenuino de Savione et Agnello de Tridento, data est redempio, per caput uniuscuiusque viri solidus unus usque ad solidos sexcentos. Interea Francorum exercitum, cum esset tempus aestivum, propter inconsueti aeris incommoditatem, desenteriae morbus graviter exagitare coepit, quo morbo plures ex eis interierunt.

When all these forts had been torn down by the Franks, all the citizens were led away captive by them. But for the fort of Ferruge, through the intercession of the bishops Ingenuinus of Savione and Agnellus of Tridentum, a redemption was given, at one solidus per head of each man, up to 600 solidi. Meanwhile the army of the Franks, since it was the aestival season, on account of the incommodity of the unaccustomed air, began to be grievously harassed by the disease of dysentery, by which disease many of them perished.

Quid plura? Cum per tres menses Prancorum exercitus Italiam pervagaret nihilque proficeret neque se de inimicis ulcisci posset, eo quod se in locis firmissimis contulissent, neque regem attingere valeret, de quo ultio fieret, qui se intra Ticinensem munierat urbem, ut diximus, infirmatus aeris intemperantia ac fame constrictus exercitus redire ad propria destinavit. Qui revertentes ad patriam, in tantum famis penuriam perpessi sunt, ut prius vestimenta propria, insuper etiam et arma ad coemendum victum praeberent, quam ad genitale solum pertingerent.

What more? When for three months the army of the Franks was pervading Italy and made no progress, nor could it avenge itself upon its enemies, for the reason that they had betaken themselves into the most strongly fortified places, nor was it able to reach the king upon whom vengeance might be wrought, who, as we have said, had fortified himself within the Ticinese city, the army, weakened by the intemperance of the air and constrained by famine, resolved to return to its own. And as they were returning to their fatherland, they endured such a scarcity of hunger that they offered first their own garments, and moreover even their arms, to purchase sustenance, before they might reach their natal soil.

32. Circa haec tempora putatur esse factum, quod de Authari rege refertur. Fama est enim, tunc eundem regem per Spoletium Beneventum pervenisse eandemque regionem cepisse et usque etiam Regium, extremam Italiae civitatem vicinam Siciliae, perambulasse; et quia ibidem intra maris undas columna quaedam esse posita dicitur, usque ad eam equo sedens accessisse eamque de hastae suae cuspide tetigisse, dicens: "Usque hic erunt Langobardorum fines". Quae columna usque hodie dicitur persistere et columna Authari appellari.

32. About these times it is thought that the thing which is related about King Authari occurred. For the report is that then this same king came through Spoleto to Beneventum, seized that region, and even perambulated as far as Rhegium, the extreme city of Italy, neighboring Sicily; and because there, within the waves of the sea, a certain column is said to have been set, he, sitting on his horse, approached up to it and touched it with the cusp of his spear, saying: "Up to here shall be the bounds of the Langobards." Which column is said to persist to this day and to be called the column of Authari.

33. Fuit autem primus Langobardorum dux in Benevento nomine Zotto, qui in ea principatus est per curricula viginti annorum.

33. Moreover, the first Langobard duke in Benevento was named Zotto, who held the principate there for the span of twenty years.

34. Interea Authari rex legationem verbis pacificis ad Gunthramnum regem Francorum, patruum scilicet Childeberti regis, direxit. A quo legati idem iocunde suscepti, sed ad Childebertum, qui ei nepus ex fratre erat, directi sunt, ut per eius nutum pax cum gente Langobardorum firmaretur. Erat autem Gunthramnus iste, de quo diximus, rex pacificus et omni bonitate conspicuus.

34. Meanwhile King Authari sent an embassy with pacific words to King Gunthramn of the Franks, namely the paternal uncle of King Childebert. By whom these same envoys were pleasantly received, but were sent on to Childebert, who was his nephew by his brother, so that by his nod peace might be made firm with the nation of the Langobards. Now this Gunthramn, of whom we have spoken, was a pacific king and conspicuous for every goodness.

Cuius unum factum satis admirabile libet nos huic nostrae historiae breviter inserere, praesertim cum hoc Francorum historia noverimus minime contineri. Is, cum venatum quodam tempore in silvam isset, et, ut adsolet fieri, hac illacque discurrentibus sociis, ipse cum uno fidelissimo tamen suo remansisset, gravissimo somno depressus, caput in genibus eiusdem fidelis sui reclinans, obdormivit. De cuius ore parvum animal in modum reptilis egressum, tenuem rivulum, qui propter discurrebat, ut transire possit, satagere coepit.

Of whom one deed quite admirable it pleases us to insert briefly into this our history, especially since we know that this is by no means contained in the history of the Franks. He, when at a certain time he had gone into the forest to hunt, and, as is accustomed to happen, with his companions running here and there, he himself, however, having remained with one most faithful of his, pressed down by a very heavy sleep, leaning his head upon the knees of that same faithful one of his, fell asleep. From his mouth a small animal, in the manner of a reptile, went out, and began to bestir itself to cross a slender rivulet which was running nearby.

Tunc isdem in cuius gremio quiescebat spatam suam vagina exemptam super eundem rivulum posuit; super quam illud reptile, de quo diximus, ad partem aliam transmeavit. Quod cum non longe exinde in quoddam foramen montis ingressum fuisset, et post aliquantum spatii regressum super eandem spatam praefatum rivulum transmeasset, rursum in os Gunthramni, de quo exierat, introivit. Gunthramnus post haec de somno expergefactus, mirificam se visionem vidisse narravit.

Then that same man in whose lap he was resting placed his sword, drawn from the sheath, over that same rivulet; over which the reptile of which we spoke crossed to the other side. When it had, not far from there, entered into a certain hole of the mountain, and after some distance, having returned, had recrossed the aforementioned rivulet upon the same sword, it went back again into the mouth of Gunthramnus, from which it had come out. After this, Gunthramnus, awakened from sleep, related that he had seen a wondrous vision.

Retulit enim, paruisse sibi in somnis quod fluvium quendam per pontem ferreum transisset et sub montem quendam introisset, ubi multum auri pondus aspexisset. Is vero in cuius gremio caput tenuerat cum dormisset, quid de eo viderat ei per ordinem retulit. Quid plura?

For he reported that it had appeared to him in dreams that he had crossed a certain river by an iron bridge and had gone in under a certain mountain, where he had beheld a great weight of gold. But the one in whose lap he had held his head while he slept related to him in order what he had seen concerning him. What more?

Effossus est locus ille, et inestimabiles thesauri, qui ibidem antiquitus positi fuerant, sunt reperti. De quo auro ipse rex postmodum cyborium solidum mirae magnitudinis et magni ponderis fecit, multisque illud preciosissimis gemmis decoratum ad sepulchrum Domini Hierosolimam transmittere voluit. Sed cum minime potuisset, idem supra corpus beati Marcelli martyris, quod in civitate Caballonno sepultum est, ubi sedes regni illius erat, poni fecit; et est ibi usque in praesentem diem.

That place was dug out, and inestimable treasures, which had been placed there from antiquity, were found. From that gold the king himself afterward made a solid ciborium of wondrous magnitude and great weight, and, adorned with many most precious gems, he wished to transmit it to Jerusalem to the Sepulcher of the Lord. But since he was by no means able, he caused it to be set above the body of the blessed martyr Marcellus, which is buried in the city of Caballonnum, where the seat of his kingdom was; and it is there to the present day.

Nec est usquam ullum opus ex auro effectum, quod ei valeat conparari. Sed nos, his breviter quae relatu digna erant contactis, ad historiam revertamur.

Nor is there anywhere any work wrought from gold that can be compared to it. But we, with these things briefly touched which were worthy of report, let us return to the history.

35. Interim dum legati Authari regis in Francia morarentur, rex Authari apud Ticinum nonas septembris, veneno, ut tradunt, accepto, moritur postquam sex regnaverat annos. Statimque a Langobardis legatio ad Childebertum regem Francorum missa est, quae Authari regis mortem eidem nuntiaret et pacem ab eo expeteret. Quod ille audiens, legatos quidem suscepit, pacem vero in posterum se daturum promisit.

35. Meanwhile, while the envoys of King Authari were staying in France, King Authari at Ticinum, on the Nones of September, died, poison, as they relate, having been taken, after he had reigned six years. And at once a legation from the Langobards was sent to Childebert, king of the Franks, to announce to him the death of King Authari and to seek peace from him. Hearing this, he received the envoys indeed, and promised that he would grant peace in the future.

Qui tamen praefatos legatos post aliquot dies, promissa pace, absolvit. Regina vero Theudelinda quia satis placebat Langobardis, permiserunt eam in regia consistere dignitate, suadentes ei, ut sibi quem ipsa voluisset ex omnibus Langobardis virum eligeret, talem scilicet qui regnum regere utiliter possit. Illa vero consilium cum prudentibus habens, Agilulfum ducem Taurinatium et sibi virum et Langobardorum genti regem elegit.

He nevertheless dismissed the aforesaid envoys after some days, with peace promised. But Queen Theudelinda, because she quite pleased the Langobards, they permitted her to remain in royal dignity, advising her to choose for herself, from among all the Langobards, a husband whom she herself wished—namely one who could govern the kingdom usefully. She, however, taking counsel with the prudent, chose Agilulf, duke of the Taurinians (Turin), both as her husband and as king for the nation of the Langobards.

Erat enim isdem vir strenuus et bellicosus et tam forma quam animo ad regni gubernacula coaptatus. Cui statim regina ad se venire mandavit, ipsaque ei obviam ad Laumellum oppidum properavit. Qui cum ad eam venisset, ipsa sibi post aliqua verba vinum propinari fecit.

For he was a vigorous and bellicose man, and as much in form as in spirit coapted to the helm of the kingdom. To whom the queen at once sent word to come to her, and she herself hastened to meet him at the town of Laumellum. When he had come to her, she herself, after a few words, had wine served.

Quae cum prior bibisset, residuum Agilulfo ad bibendum tribuit. Is cum reginae, accepto poculo, manum honorabiliter osculatus esset, regina cum rubore subridens, non deberi sibi manum osculari, ait, quem osculum ad os, iungere oporteret. Moxque eum ad suum basium erigens, ei de suis nuptiis deque regni dignitate aperuit.

She, when she had drunk first, gave the remainder to Agilulf to drink. He, after receiving the cup, having honorably kissed the queen’s hand, the queen, smiling with a blush, said that it was not due to her that the hand be kissed, but that the kiss ought to be joined to the mouth. And soon, lifting him to her own kiss, she disclosed to him about their nuptials and about the dignity of the kingdom.

Quid plura? Celebrantur cum magna laetitia nuptiae; suscepit Agilulf, qui fuerat cognatus regis Authari, incoante iam mense novembrio, regiam dignitatem. Sed tamen, congregatis in unum Langobardis, postea mense maio ab omnibus in regnum apud Mediolanum levatus est.

What more? The nuptials are celebrated with great joy; Agilulf, who had been a kinsman of King Authari, assumed the royal dignity, with the month of November now beginning. But nevertheless, with the Lombards gathered together into one, afterwards in the month of May he was by all elevated to the kingship at Milan.