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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 2, 32. The War Against Gundobad
At this time two brothers, Gundobad and Godigisel, possessed their kingdom about the Rhône and Saône with the territory of Marseilles. They and their people were in the thraldom of the Arian sect. And as the brothers were on terms of hostility, Godigisel, who had heard of the victories won by King Clovis, sent envoys to him by stealth, saying: ‘If thou afford me aid to pursue my brother, so that I may either slay him in battle, or drive him from the kingdom, I will pay thee every year such tribute as thou mayest thyself impose.’ This offer Clovis received gladly, and promised him aid whenever his necessity should demand it. At a time appointed between them he marched an army against Gundobad, who, ignorant of his brother’s guile, sent to him upon this news, saying: ‘Come thou to my deliverance, for the Franks have risen against us, and are come up against our territory to take it. Let us therefore be of one mind against a people that hateth us, for if we hold apart we shall undergo the fate suffered by other peoples.’ Godigisel made answer: ‘I will come with my army, and will bring thee succour.’ So all three kings set their forces in movement together, Clovis marching against Gundobad and Godigisel; they came to Dijon with all the armaments of war. But when they joined battle on the Ouche, Godigisel joined Clovis, and their united armies crushed the force of Gundobad. But he, perceiving the treachery of his brother which till that hour he never suspected, turned his back and fled along the Rhône, until he entered the city of Avignon. After his victory thus gained,1 Godigisel promised Clovis a part of his kingdom, and went home in peace, entering Vienne in triumph, as though he were master of the entire kingdom. But Clovis reinforced his troops, and followed Gundobad with intent to take him from Avignon and slay him. When Gundobad heard this, he was grievously afraid, dreading to be overtaken by a sudden death. Now he had with him Aridius, a man of rank, who was both strenuous and astute. Him he summoned and thus addressed: ‘I am hemmed in by straits upon every side, and know not what to do, for these barbarians are fallen upon me with intent to slay us and lay waste all the land.’ Aridius answered: ‘Thou hadst best assuage the savagery of this man, and so preserve thy life. Now therefore, if it be pleasing in thy sight, I will feign to forsake thee and desert to him; once with him, I will bring it about that he neither ruin thee nor yet this country. Do thou only have a care to satisfy all the demands which by my advice he shall make of thee, till the Lord of His goodness deign to make thy cause triumph. Gundobad made answer: ‘I will do all that thou shalt enjoin.’ Thereupon Aridius bade him farewell and departed, and came to King Clovis, to whom he said: ‘Behold in me, most pious king, thy humble slave, who hath forsaken the miserable Gundobad to serve thy mightiness. If now thy piety deign to look on me, thou and thy posterity shall find in me an honest and faithful follower.’ Clovis forthwith took him to himself, and kept him near his person; for he could tell lively tales, was active in counsel, just in judgement, and faithful in every trust. Clovis then continuing to invest the city with his army, Aridius said: ‘O king, if in the majesty of thy high estate thou deign to hear from me a few words of humble advice, though indeed thou hast small need of counsel, I will offer them in all loyalty; and it shall be useful to thee and to the cities through which it is thy intent to pass. Wherefore dost thou keep afoot this army, when thy foe abideth in an impregnable place? Thou layest waste the fields and devourest the meadows, thou cuttest the vines, thou hewest down the olives, all the fruits of this region thou dost utterly destroy, and yet thou availest not to do him hurt. Send rather envoys to him and impose a yearly tribute, that this region be saved from ruin, and thou be always lord over thy vassal. If he should refuse, then do according to thy pleasure.’ The king hearkened to this counsel, and bade his army return home. And he sent an embassy to Gundobad, commanding him yearly to pay the tribute now to be laid upon him. And he paid it forthwith, and pledged himself to pay it hereafter.
Notes
- In A. D. 500.