Theodoric II, king of the Visigoths

Theodoric ll, king of the Visigoths

• Reign 453 – Early 466
• Predecessor: Thorismund
• Successor: Euric
• Died: Early 466 (aged 40)
• Father: Theodoric I
• Religion: Arian Christianity

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Biography

Theodoric lI, Teodorico in Spanish and Portuguese, (c. 426 – early 466) was the eighth King of the Visigoths, from 453 to 466.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodoric_II

Theoderic II, son of Theodoric I, obtained the throne by killing his elder brother Thorismund. The English historian Edward Gibbon writes that "he justified this atrocious deed by the design which his predecessor had formed of violating his alliance with the empire." In late 458 the Western Roman Emperor, Majorian entered Septimania to attack Theodoric and reclaim the province for the empire. Majorian defeated Theodoric at the Battle of Arelate, forcing the Visigoths to abandon Septimania and withdraw west to Aquitania. Under the new treaty with the Romans, the Visigoths had to relinquish their recent conquests in Hispania and return to federate status. However, after the assassination of Majorian in 461, Theodoric recaptured Septimania and invaded Hispania again. Theodoric sided with Ricimer and the new emperor Libius Severus against Majorian's magister militum per Gallias Aegidius. Theodorics' army was defeated by Aegidius at Aurelianum and his brother Frederic died in battle, which Kulikowski writes "would have important consequences for the Gothic succession."[1]

Theodoric was himself murdered in 466 by his younger brother Euric, who succeeded him to the throne.[2]

Described by a Roman

The Gallo-Roman Sidonius Apollinaris wrote a famously vivid and gushing letter to his brother-in-law Agricola describing the king and his court:
You have often begged a description of Theodoric the Gothic king, whose gentle breeding fame commends to every nation; you want him in his quantity and quality, in his person, and the manner of his existence. I gladly accede, as far as the limits of my page allow, and highly approve so fine and ingenuous a curiosity.

Well, he is a man worth knowing, even by those who cannot enjoy his close acquaintance, so happily have Providence and Nature joined to endow him with the perfect gifts of fortune; his way of life is such that not even the envy which lies in wait for kings can rob him of his proper praise. And first as to his person. He is well set up, in height above the average man, but below the giant. His head is round, with curled hair retreating somewhat from brow to crown. His nervous neck is free from disfiguring knots. The eyebrows are bushy and arched; when the lids droop, the lashes reach almost half-way down the cheeks. The upper ears are buried under overlying locks, after the fashion of his race. The nose is finely aquiline; the lips are thin and not enlarged by undue distension of the mouth. Every day the hair springing from his nostrils is cut back; that on the face springs thick from the hollow of the temples, but the razor has not yet come upon his cheek, and his barber is assiduous in eradicating the rich growth on the lower part of the face. Chin, throat, and neck are full, but not fat, and all of fair complexion; seen close, their colour is fresh as that of youth; they often flush, but from modesty, and not from anger. His shoulders are smooth, the upper- and forearms strong and hard; hands broad, breast prominent; waist receding. The spine dividing the broad expanse of back does not project, and you can see the springing of the ribs; the sides swell with salient muscle, the well-girt flanks are full of vigour. His thighs are like hard horn; the knee-joints firm and masculine; the knees themselves the comeliest and least wrinkled in the world. A full ankle supports the leg, and the foot is small to bear such mighty limbs.

Now for the routine of his public life. Before daybreak he goes with a very small suite to attend the service of his priests. He prays with assiduity, but, if I may speak in confidence, one may suspect more of habit than conviction in this piety. Administrative duties of the kingdom take up the rest of the morning. Armed nobles stand about the royal seat; the mass of guards in their garb of skins are admitted that they may be within call, but kept at the threshold for quiet's sake; only a murmur of them comes in from their post at the doors, between the curtain and the outer barrier.1 And now the foreign envoys are introduced. The king hears them out, and says little; if a thing needs more discussion he puts it off, but accelerates matters ripe for dispatch. The second hour arrives; he rises from the throne to inspect his treasure-chamber or stable.

If the chase is the order of the day, he joins it, but never carries his bow at his side, considering this derogatory to royal state. When a bird or beast is marked for him, or happens to cross his path, he puts his hand behind his back and takes the bow from a page with the string all hanging loose; for as he deems it a boy's trick to bear it in a quiver, so he holds it effeminate to receive the weapon ready strung. When it is given him, he sometimes holds it in both hands and bends the extremities towards each other; at others he sets it, knot-end downward, against his lifted heel, and runs his finger up the slack and wavering string. After that, he takes his arrows, adjusts, and lets fly. He will ask you beforehand what you would like him to transfix; you choose, and he hits. If there is a miss through either's error, your vision will mostly be at fault, and not the archer's skill.

On ordinary days, his table resembles that of a private person. The board does not groan beneath a mass of dull and unpolished silver set on by panting servitors; the weight lies rather in the conversation than in the plate; there is either sensible talk or none. The hangings and draperies used on these occasions are sometimes of purple silk, sometimes only of linen; art, not costliness, commends the fare, as spotlessness rather than bulk the silver. Toasts are few, and you will oftener see a thirsty guest impatient, than a full one refusing cup or bowl. In short, you will find elegance of Greece, good cheer of Gaul, Italian nimbleness, the state of public banquets with the attentive service of a private table, and everywhere the discipline of a king's house. What need for me to describe the pomp of his feast days? No man is so unknown as not to know of them. But to my theme again. The siesta after dinner is always slight, and sometimes intermitted. When inclined for the board-game,1 he is quick to gather up the dice, examines them with care, shakes the box with expert hand, throws rapidly, humorously apostrophizes them, and patiently waits the issue. Silent at a good throw, he makes merry over a bad, annoyed by neither fortune, and always the philosopher. He is too proud to ask or to refuse a revenge; he disdains to avail himself of one if offered; and if it is opposed will quietly go on playing. You effect recovery of your men without obstruction on his side; he recovers his without collusion upon yours. You see the strategist when he moves the pieces; his one thought is victory. Yet at play he puts off a little of his kingly rigour, inciting all to good fellowship and the freedom of the game: I think he is afraid of being feared. Vexation in the man whom he beats delights him; he will never believe that his opponents have not let him win unless their annoyance proves him really victor. You would be surprised how often the pleasure born of these little happenings may favour the march of great affairs. Petitions that some wrecked influence had left derelict come unexpectedly to port; I myself am gladly beaten by him when I have a favour to ask, since the loss of my game may mean the gaining of my cause. About the ninth hour, the burden of government begins again. Back come the importunates, back the ushers to remove them; on all sides buzz the voices of petitioners, a sound which lasts till evening, and does not diminish till interrupted by the royal repast; even then they only disperse to attend their various patrons among the courtiers, and are astir till bedtime. Sometimes, though this is rare, supper is enlivened by sallies of mimes, but no guest is ever exposed to the wound of a biting tongue. Withal there is no noise of hydraulic organ,1 or choir with its conductor intoning a set piece; you will hear no players of lyre or flute, no master of the music, no girls with cithara or tabor; the king cares for no strains but those which no less charm the mind with virtue than the ear with melody. When he rises to withdraw, the treasury watch begins its vigil; armed sentries stand on guard during the first hours of slumber. But I am wandering from my subject. I never promised a whole chapter on the kingdom, but a few words about the king. I must stay my pen; you asked for nothing more than one or two facts about the person and the tastes of Theodoric; and my own aim was to write a letter, not a history. Farewell.

— Sidonius Apollinaris, Epistulae Bk.II[3]

Genealogy

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/TOULOUSE.htm#_Toc225040394

• THEODERIC [Theoderid], son of --- (-killed in battle near Troyes summer 451). … m [--- of the Visigoths, daughter of ALARIC I King of the Visigoths & his wife ---.
  • 3. THEODERIC (-murdered 466). Iordanes names (in order) "Friderichum et Eurichum, Retemerim et Himnerith" as four of the sons of "Theoderido", specifying that their father took his two older sons "Thorismud et Theodericum maiores natu" when he fought at the battle of the Catalaunian Fields, dated to 451[77]. Herimannus names "Theodericus frater Torismodo regi Gothorum" when recording that he succeeded his brother[78]. He was elected to succeed after murdering his brother in 453 as THEODERIC II King of the Visigoths. The Chronicon of Bishop Idatius records that “Thorismo Rex Gothorum” was killed by “Theuderico et Frederico fratribus” in 453 and that Theoderic succeeded to the throne[79]. Iordanes records that "Thederidus germanus eius" succeeded after the death of Thorismund but does not specify that he was responsible for his brother's death[80]. He invaded Spain in 454 in support of Emperor Avitus and inflicted a resounding defeat on the Suevi in 456[81]. The Chronicon Albeldense records that “Teudericus” entered Spain, defeated “Ricciarium Suevorum regem” in battle “Asturica apud Urbicum fluvium”, and pursued him into “Portucale” where he killed Requiario and captured “Bracarum”[82]. He returned to Toulouse in Mar 457 but left a Visigoth contingent which advanced through Betica, eventually taking partial control of Seville[83]. The Chronicon Albeldense records that “Teudericus” returned to Gaul after leaving Portugal and was killed “ab Eurico…fratre”[84]. Iordanes records that his brother Euric was suspected of involvement in the death of Theoderic[85]. The Chronica Regum Visigotthorum records that “Theudoricus” reigned for seven, otherwise thirteen, years[86].

Su reinado

Subió el trono después de estrangular a su hermano Turismundo. Teniendo la necesidad de sentirse apoyado por Roma, y al mismo tiempo siguiendo su inclinación personal y la de sus partidarios hacia el Imperio, firmó en los primeros tiempos de su reinado un foedus que lo comprometía a prestar auxilios militares.

Debido a este pacto, Frederico, hermano de Teodorico II, derrotó en la Tarraconense a los bagaudas, grupos armados que practicaban el bandolerismo.

A la muerte del emperador Valentiniano III, y por la influencia personal de Avito, Teodorico II reconoció como emperador a Petronio Máximo, renovándose el contrato federal. Los visigodos tienen tan afianzado su poder, que a la muerte en 455 del emperador, consiguen que Avito lo suceda.

Debido a que los suevos atacaron dos veces la Tarraconense en 456, los visigodos penetraron en Hispania para ayudar a Roma, aunque con plena dirección de sus tropas. Se enfrentaron cerca de Astorga al rey suevo Requiario, que derrotado se retiró a la costa galaica. Poco después el rey suevo cayó en poder de Teodorico II en Oporto y murió en prisión. Agiulfo fue nombrado gobernador visigodo en la región sueva. Sin embargo, el reino suevo no estaba extinguido y, pese a los intentos de Teodorico II de unirlo al suyo, renació después de la derrota de Requiario.

Teodorico II recibió en Mérida, cuando estaba en campaña, la noticia del enfrentamiento entre el emperador Avito y el magister militum Ricimero. Este era un suevo por parte de padre y visigodo, nieto de Walia, por parte de madre, que venía disponiendo a su antojo de la púrpura imperial. El enfrentamiento terminó con la derrota de Avito, su prisión, su obligada consagración como obispo y su muerte en el 456. Teodorico II dejó en Hispania parte de sus tropas y regresó a Tolosa.

Perdido el interés por ayudar al Imperio, intentó la expansión de su reino, tanto por las Galias como por Hispania. En las Galias ayudó a los borgoñones en una campaña contra la Roma del emperador Mayoriano, que había sido impuesto por Ricimero. Además, Teodorico II intentó por cuenta propia apoderarse de Arlés. En Hispania luchó contra Agiulfo, que quiso hacerse rey de los suevos, y contra el nuevo rey Maldra.

Visigodos y suevos se disputaron la posesión de Hispania al margen de Roma, pero no lo consiguieron pues Mayoriano logró dominar las Galias y romper el cerco de Arlés, consiguiendo que los visigodos hicieran la paz con Roma. El emperador entró en Hispania en el 460 y fracasó en el intento de pasar a África para dominar a los vándalos, pero sí consiguió vencer a los suevos con la ayuda de los visigodos en Lugo y Santarem.

En el año 461, Ricimero asesinó a Mayoriano y nombró emperador a Severo. Teodorico II, que seguía ligado a Roma, aprovechó las luchas intestinas para apoderarse de Narbona en el 462 y ampliar sus dominios con la Novempopulania y parte de la Narbonense I, llamada luego Septimania.

Si en las Galias había conseguido su propósito de expansión territorial, en Hispania no lo logró de modo definitivo, ya que el reino suevo logró recuperarse bajo Remismundo, llegándose incluso a concertar una paz y una alianza matrimonial entre suevos y visigodos.

Teodorico II murió asesinado por su hermano Eurico en el año 466.

http://reyesmedievales.esy.es/visigodosteodorico2.htm

Teodorico II (? - 466, Rey de los visigodos del año 453 al 466.

Llegó al poder tras asesinar a su hermano Turismundo con la ayuda de su hermano Frederico. Ya como rey de Tolosa, optó por aliarse con la decadente Roma para asegurar las fronteras del imperio y luchar con los pueblos guerreros que acechaban los límites de Roma. Además, Teodorico II continuó la lucha contra los bagaudas, auténticas guerrillas formada por campesinos desertores, campesinos pobres y gente excluida de la sociedad para luchar contra la potencia dominante, ya fuera el Imperio Romano o cualquiera de sus reinos asociados como era el caso del reino de Tolosa. Entre 453 y 454, la belicosidad de los bagaudas fue tan extrema que el emperador Valentiniano III envió una expedición que se puso a las órdenes de Teodorico II para luchar contra los insurgentes. La victoria de la expedición romano-goda fue total y, en pocos meses, aplastó con todo tipo de insurgencia bagauda.

(http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teodorico_II)

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teodorico_II

eodorico II (¿? – 466), fue rey de los visigodos del año 453 al 466.

Biografía [editar]

Llegó al poder tras asesinar a su hermano Turismundo con la ayuda de su hermano Frederico y por instigación del general romano Aecio. Ya como rey en Toulouse, optó por aliarse con Valentiniano III para asegurar las fronteras del decadente imperio romano y luchar con los pueblos guerreros que acechaban los límites de Roma.

Además, Teodorico II continuó la lucha contra los bagaudas, auténticas guerrillas rurales formadas por campesinos desertores, campesinos pobres y gente excluida de la sociedad y que luchaban contra el poder establecido, ya fuera el Imperio Romano o cualquiera de sus reinos asociados como era el caso del reino de Tolosa. Entre 453 y 454, la belicosidad de los bagaudas fue tan extrema que el emperador Valentiniano III envió una expedición que se puso a las órdenes de Teodorico II para luchar contra los insurgentes. La victoria de la expedición romano-goda fue total y, en pocos meses, aplastó con todo tipo crueldades la insurgencia bagauda.

En 455 tras los asesinatos de Valentiano III y de su sucesor Petronio Máximo, el rey godo Teodorico II impuso a su propio emperador: Marco Mecilio Avito.

Pero mientras Teodorico tenía su mirada puesta en la sucesión del trono imperial, el rey suevo Requiario asentado en el noroeste de la península ibérica, empezó las hostilidades al no reconocer las reivindicaciones territoriales del reino godo. Y los suevos lanzaron ataques contra la Bética, la Cartaginense y la Tarraconense.

Así, en 456, el rey godo reunía un importante ejército de soldados burgundios, comandado por sus reyes Gondioc y Chilperico I, su hermano, ambos aliados de Teodorico (Jordanes, Getica, 231). Los suevos se replegaron en el río Órbigo, cerca de Astorga. La victoria fue aplastante para los godos. Meses más tarde y después de una persecución por media península Ibérica, los godos detuvieron a Requiario, que no obtuvo el perdón del rey y fue ejecutado en diciembre del 456.

En el trono suevo, Teodorico II colocó a Agiulfo como gobernador proporcionándole una tropa para custodiar las fronteras para luchar contra los resistentes cántabros y vascones. Eso sí, no sin antes limitar las fronteras del reino suevo a una pequeña parte de Galicia (Gallaecia). Pero sus continuas tropelías provocaron la rebelión de los suevos e hispanoromanos, iniciándose así un periodo de guerra civil y caos.

En 457 y con el asesinato del emperador romano Avito a manos del líder suevo visigodo Ricimero, el rey godo no reconoció al nuevo mandatario del imperio impuesto por Ricimero: Julio Mayoriano. Esto hizo que Teodorico II intentara expandir un poco más el reino de Tolosa hacia el norte. Pero Mayoriano, que era general de las legiones romanas, venció a las tropas godas, conquistando la ciudad goda de Arlés y firmando un tratado de paz que duraría tres años.

Pero las malas noticias también llegaron por el norte del reino. Un general de las Galias llamado Egido se autoproclamaba rey de los francos y, en una pugna con el contencioso godo, éste mató a Frederico, hermano del rey. El monarca godo se vio obligado a pactar con los francos para delimitar las fronteras entre el reino franco y el godo en el río Loira.

Este pacto con los francos se extendió a negociar también con Ricimero y a su nuevo emperador títere: Libio Severo. Esta decisión no gustó nada a los nobles visigodos y, en especial, al único hermano vivo que le quedaba a Teodorico, Eurico. Los nobles pensaban que no había nada que negociar con un imperio en decadencia. Fue así como Eurico buscó aliados entre los nobles para asesinar a Teodorico II en 466 y coronarse como nuevo rey visigodo.

O GENRO DE TEODORICO II:

Remismundo, filho de Maldras, tornou-se rei dos Suevos em 459 e reinou até à sua morte em 469.[1][2][3] Pouco depois da morte do seu pai foi destronado por Frumário e teve de travar um guerra civil contra este e contra Requimundo que só terminou com as mortes destes últimos em 463.[2][3] O reino suevo foi então reunificado sob um único rei, Remismundo.[2][3]

Casou-se com a filha do rei visigodo Teodorico II. Converteu-se ao Arianismo em 465 e em 467, após o assassinato de Teodorico pelo seu irmão Eurico, mandou saquear Conímbriga. Em 468, ocupou Lisboa, acrescentando a cidade ao seu domínio sobre Coimbra, Egitânia e, por conseguinte, boa parte da Lusitânia. Com a sua morte em 469, inicia-se um período obscuro na história dos Suevos, do qual existem poucos vestígios ou informações.