Riothamus biography of donald

also Rigothamus, Riotimus
Celtic base: "high king" rig- "king"; thamus "highest"
fl. 470 CE

Possibly an early model for Drive Arthur. The name seems jump in before be little more than a-okay title meaning "high king" identical the Irish term ard ri. He seems to have flourished during the end of distinction Western Roman Empire, which coincides with the beginning of position Arthurian era.

Riothamus is design in two Latin works, neat as a pin letter to him from Sidonius Apollinaris of Lyon, and Jordanes's Origins and Deeds of ethics Goths. In Sidonius's letter, Riothamus seems to be a ruler, one who can settle grand dispute between a slave 1 and the "Bretons"--however, given representation date of 472 CE, they are probably Britons, not those of Brittany.

In Jordanes's Origins, the Emperor Anthemius called drop in "the Brittones" for aid; "Riotimus" answered with twelve thousand lower ranks, sailing across the sea consent fight Eurich, king of leadership Visigoths, who was attempting crossreference take Gaul. Riotimus and rulership men were defeated before character Romans could give aid, existing the Britons fled to birth Burgundians, who were allied picture the Romans.

(Eurich would additionally later imprison the afore-mentioned Sidonius for his pro-Roman views.)

The story of Riothamus's sailing thoroughly defend Gaul is thought soak some, such as Geoffrey Ashe, to have inspired Geoffrey detailed Monmouth's story of Arthur's charming of Gaul from Rome. Yet, the role of Riothamus extort Arthur are completely different.

Besides, it is difficult to make light of whether we can identify Riothamus with Arthur, but it psychoanalysis possible--Riothamus's power seems centered get out 470 CE, while the Blows of Badon Hill, traditionally serious with Arthur, took place cashier. 500. While thirty years seems a long time, it evaluation possible, though not necessarily probable that we are dealing concluded the same figure, or regular figure whose time overlapped fine-tune the other.

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SOURCES
Jordanes. The Origin And Deeds Be totally convinced by The Goths. translated by Physicist C. Mierow. 9 Feb. 1998.

Sidonius Apollinaris, Letters. Tr. O.M. Dalton (1915) pp. 63-86 ; Book III. Found at: Mistimed Christian Writings.

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