General Notes

# Event: Event 506 Introduced the collection of laws known as the Breviary of Alaric (Lex Romana Visigothorum).
# Occupation: BET 484 AND 507 9th King of the Visigoths
# Event: Acceded 484 Succeeded his father Euric I
# Event: Titled King of Visigothic Spain
# Note:





    Alaric II (died 507), king of the Visigoths (484-507), succeeding his father, Euric. He ruled the central and southern regions of Gaul (modern-day France) and most of Spain. Like most Visigoths, Alaric adhered to Arianism; this gave the Frankish king Clovis I, an orthodox Christian, an excuse for making war on him. Alaric's forces were completely routed at Vouillé, near Poitiers (in present-day France), and he himself was overtaken and slain by Clovis. This defeat brought to an end the rule of the Visigoths in Gaul. Alaric is also known for the Breviary of Alaric, an abstract of Roman laws and decrees prepared at his direction for use in his domains. This document is a primary source of knowledge about the application of Roman law in nations formed from the disintegrated Roman Empire.

    "Alaric II," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    Regarding the state of the Empire:

    The most notable of the Spanish Visigothic kings was Euric, who reigned [lived] from about 420 to 484 (actually only reigned from 466 - 484). He was a son of Theodoric I. Under Euric, who declared his rule to be independent of any federation with Rome, the kingdom of Toulouse included almost all of Spain and most of Gaul west of the Rhône River and south of the Loire River. Euric introduced many aspects of Roman civilization and drew up a code of law combining Roman and German elements. The kingdom was, however, continually beset by both internal and external difficulties. The kingship was nominally elective, and the powerful Visigothic nobles stood against attempts to found a hereditary royal house. Externally, the Byzantine Empire and the Franks menaced the Visigothic lands. In order to instill greater loyalty in his rebellious Roman and Christian subjects, Alaric II in 506 introduced the collection of laws known as the Breviary of Alaric. A year later, Clovis I, king of the Franks, defeated the Visigoths at the Battle of Vouillé, in which Alaric II was killed.

    "Goths," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


    Breviary of Alaric, also known as Lex Romana Visigothorum (Roman Law of the Visigoths), important collection of Roman laws compiled under Alaric II, king of the Visigoths. Issued in AD506 at Toulouse (now in France), the code was designed for Alaric's Roman subjects and was almost exclusively Roman in character. It was derived from the Code and Novels of the Roman emperor Theodosius II (AD401-50), the Institutes of the Roman jurist Gaius (circa AD110-80), and other authorities.

    "Breviary of Alaric," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.