And the Roman capital of Gaul was located in Soisson, with Syagrius falling to Clovis in 486, so that though the families in support of Gaul had wished to build themselves a base of power, they were usurped and conquered by Clovis who used their lands and those of his own people as a foundation for his own kingdom.
That said, any who joined him were accepted as Francs, so that there was little in the way of conflits between him and the local people as he in some ways assimilated to them rather than the other way around.
Excellent article, I always liked Aetius and found that I could not understand why historians hated him, he beat Attila! He drove the man back! Shouldn't he be praised for this and for having attempted to save the Empire? And yet, most English-speaking historians I've met hate him and consider him a buffoon for some reason (saving a few here and there). Or they describe him as 'tedious to study' never understood that.
Historians also love Stilicho despite his incompetence being key to the Fall of the West. When Stilicho was arrested most of the western empire was overrun with barbarians but he was planning a war with the eastern empire. I think it was very likely he was also planning treason, western emperors before and after him fell pray to their barbarian generals.
And the Roman capital of Gaul was located in Soisson, with Syagrius falling to Clovis in 486, so that though the families in support of Gaul had wished to build themselves a base of power, they were usurped and conquered by Clovis who used their lands and those of his own people as a foundation for his own kingdom.
That said, any who joined him were accepted as Francs, so that there was little in the way of conflits between him and the local people as he in some ways assimilated to them rather than the other way around.
Excellent article, I always liked Aetius and found that I could not understand why historians hated him, he beat Attila! He drove the man back! Shouldn't he be praised for this and for having attempted to save the Empire? And yet, most English-speaking historians I've met hate him and consider him a buffoon for some reason (saving a few here and there). Or they describe him as 'tedious to study' never understood that.
Historians also love Stilicho despite his incompetence being key to the Fall of the West. When Stilicho was arrested most of the western empire was overrun with barbarians but he was planning a war with the eastern empire. I think it was very likely he was also planning treason, western emperors before and after him fell pray to their barbarian generals.
Very true, Stilicho, was a tragic figure to be sure, but an incompetent one. I dunno why historians like Stilicho but hate Aetius.
Twas a pleasure seeing you in person, glad I can read this over once more and absorb some fascinating history on top of the lessons it holds.