Vagari de Suebis - Wander of the Suebi

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Vagari de Suebis
Wander of the Suebi

Guten tag!

I have after some consideration decided to start writing a timeline focused on an alternate development of the Seubi a tribal people in south-east Germany. I chose them because they are most likely my ancient ancestors that founded the base of "High Germany" during the early Middle Ages.

The point of divergence for this timeline will be that in c. 406 A.D after the Suebi crossed the Rhine, their leader Hemeric has a dispute with either the leadership of the Vandals or Alans (soon to unify under the Kingdom of the Vandals in OTL), and migrate away from the turmoil in Gaul. The Suebi force the Emperor Honorius to proclaim them foederati on the coast of Gallia Narbonensis.

This is only the beginning of a long period of Suebic migrations which have yet to be revealed. I have not thoroughly planned the future of Suebic people other than the fact that then will have far more influence than they did in OTL.

I have plans but I will need certain things to write a fleshed out timeline that others could easily help out at:
-Suebic naming conventions
-Roman generals and armies in the early 5th century
-Other tribes and their migrations.

This is sort of joke but it ATL this is written in a variant of Latino-Frisian spoken in Belgica. Pretty much English! BUT NOT!

IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE LOCATION NAMING LOOK AT THIS MAP
 
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Naming conventions (found from Lux Invicta files)

male_names = {
Agriulfum Ariamir Anila Adoric Audeca Argiovitus Arosinda Adeqisio Algaster Agimadus Alamiro Ansuario Becilla Berteiro Balderedo Boniza Baltarius Baldemarius_Baldemar Badamundus Baudemiro Bonesindus Chararici Commundus Cagildo Crodemiro Cartemiro Docemiro Damiro Donazarius Dulcemirus Donegildus Daildus Dagaredus Eboric Ermaric Eldegotus Eimiro Engomiro Elperico Eirigu Evosindo Eisindus Eldesindus Ensaldus Egenio_Eugene
Frumeiro Francolino Framuldo Fagildus Fromildus Froatingus Fralenko Felmiro Fredoaldus Gardingus Gomedei Gunterotis Gundivaldo Gresumarus Guntato Gomulfus Gumarius Gaudesindo Gudesteus Hermeric Heremigar Hilderic Hildemir Huniscus Leodegasti Lodemiro Leodulfus Leovaldo Leoderigus Maldras Massilan Miro Malaric Moderido Malaredus Mervigius Magitus Marcosendus Nitigis Neufila Nantildo Notarius Nandaricus
Pantard Provaredo Pabregildus Pederagildu Pennio Pantinus Pappinus Pipinus Otualdo Osorico Onoricus Odericus Odemundus Odamiro Onemiro Ostromirus Osdulfus Quidericus Quedesendo Quidemiro Quedulfus Rechila Rechiar Richimund Remismund Remisol Rodomiro Ragimiro Randinus Ragolfus Refulfo Ricardo_Richard Roelindus Ranisclus Romarigus Randuarius Reirigus Rendericus Rakericus
Sunila Segomirus Saxomero Suavarius Spanarius Sentarius Sescutus Sisulfus Sagatus Spoderigo Theodemar Trasmira Teobald Teoderedus Tumtuldo Todegogia Trasoldi Uittimer Veremund Viamundus Vistremiro Vidraldus Villisendo Venedario Zamarius Zendasindo Hunisco Romanisco Hespanisco
}

female_names = {
Ailo Acilo Aliverta Aliverga Astriverga Alatrudia Aniedrudia Ansetrudia Bagina Berina Cenabrida Cisilo Dagadruida Donadildi Desteilli Dadilo Drusilla Ebragundia Eldegundia Ebrildi Ermedrudia Entrudi Emilo Espallo Ermildi Fradegundia Facalo Frogildi Fronosili Frumildi Framilli Frolio Frunilo Fremosilli Fagilo Faquilo Froilo Gundiverga Guntedrudia Gelvira Godoigia Guandilo Granilo Genlo Goldrerona Ildiverga Liuvilo Lallina
Kindiverga Mirosinda Margilli Mansuara Penetrudia Penefreda Raniverta Recesuinda Rezevera Recesenda Ragesenda Rudilo Riquilo Randilo Recerona Sisiverta Sindiverga Sitividis Senuita Suevisco Sabegoto Sisilli Sontrilli Sparuildi Stodildi Teodiverta Tederona Trastivigia Trasavara Trasmira Tenildi Texilli Tractuilli Teodoriga Teodevirga Tanquilli Teudileova Viscaverga Vistravara Vistrildi Vergina Zanina Visterlo
}

from_dynasty_prefix = "af "
male_patronym = "sunus"
female_patronym = "sdauhtar"
prefix = no
 
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Gratian of Britannia
An excerpt from Januarius of Eboracum's "Britannic Histories" (652)

"When the Germans flooded in across the river Rhenus near Magontia on last day of the Year of the Consulship of Arcadius and Probus, Emperor Honorius demanded the magister militum of Britannia send his armies south to defend Italia. This was met by fierce opposition in Britannia leading to a general by the name of Marcus seizing control of Britannia and declaring himself Emperor. Even though his brothers placed him in power, they soon realised his incompetence and killed him within months. They then placed Gratian a far more competent man, as Emperor in Britannia.

Gratian originally opposed fighting in Gaul and argued for the defence of Britannia as an island, not a claimant to the throne of Emperor. After realising his fate would be not different than Marcus' he decided to go with his armies plans for invasion, sailing across the Sinus Brittanicus to the city of Bonnonia. Although opposed by the citizens first, they joined his plight, seeking to be saved from the barbarian invasion in any way or form. He took what ever legions he could and set out to intercept the coalition of barbarian forces near the River Sequana.

While travelling towards the tribes, the army passed by city of Parisos on the River Sequana, one of the more strategic in Gallia Lugdenensis, had been almost razed to the ground by the barbaric warriors. This gave Gratian and his generals the chance to give their soldiers a boost in fervour and rage against their demon-like foes. Quoting Gratian's own memorable speech: "If they want to fight like dogs then let us be the fierce hounds whose howls will echo throughout history!".

It is said that Gratian and his legionnaires attacked numerous tribes at once, whose political differnces forced them to divide. The Vandals and Alans under Gonderic supported fighting the Romans while the Suebi under Hermeric only wanted to migrate away from the Hunnic hordes. Without the support of Hermeric, Gonderics forces were devastated in the battles to come and allowed the legions of Britannia to make a astonishing victory. Surely the profound disunity between the petty Germans led to their own downfall and Britannia's victory!"​
 
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Interesting, but can I make some remarks? Most of them details, but you know what they say about them.

Lutetia (that you should probably name Parisios or simply Paris if the in-universe book was written in the VIIIth, rather than Lutetia that was the classical Roman name) was definitely not one of the most important cities in Gaul, even if it became more important with the IIIrd century (being a strategical place).

In a similar fashion, Mainz should be named Magontia, the Oceanus the Sinus or translating it as "straight", Gesoriacum as Bononia.
I'm not too sure about Sequana, either.

The "soldier Marcus" seems a bit weird, as a sentance. A "leader", "general", "duke" may looks more fitting.

Speaking about names, I don't think you should use this list that mix many different names from Cesarian Suebi (whom it would be dubious that they would be the same than Late Antiquity), to Hispano-Roman, etc.

Giving these ATL Suebi would be more close to Western Germanic peoples and that they would settle in Gaul, it should be more close to, say, Burgunds or Loire Alans.
Remember, as it could be useful, that you had a lot of Suebi laeti in Gaul since the IIIrd century, and that the people was far from being alien to Romans as part of the limes system (arguably, it should have been partially romanised at this point).
 
Interesting, but can I make some remarks? Most of them details, but you know what they say about them.

Lutetia (that you should probably name Parisios or simply Paris if the in-universe book was written in the VIIIth, rather than Lutetia that was the classical Roman name) was definitely not one of the most important cities in Gaul, even if it became more important with the IIIrd century (being a strategical place).

In a similar fashion, Mainz should be named Magontia, the Oceanus the Sinus or translating it as "straight", Gesoriacum as Bononia.
I'm not too sure about Sequana, either.

The "soldier Marcus" seems a bit weird, as a sentance. A "leader", "general", "duke" may looks more fitting.

Speaking about names, I don't think you should use this list that mix many different names from Cesarian Suebi (whom it would be dubious that they would be the same than Late Antiquity), to Hispano-Roman, etc.

Giving these ATL Suebi would be more close to Western Germanic peoples and that they would settle in Gaul, it should be more close to, say, Burgunds or Loire Alans.
Remember, as it could be useful, that you had a lot of Suebi laeti in Gaul since the IIIrd century, and that the people was far from being alien to Romans as part of the limes system (arguably, it should have been partially romanised at this point).

Thanks for the information but I do have some arguments against SOME of your points.

-The city of Lutetia/Paris is still called Lutetia because in the 7th century the city is still under classical Gallo-Roman control. As it was strategical in the defence of Gaul at this time, Gratian saw that it and other cities in Gallia Lugdunensis.
-The Suebi actually won't settle in Gaul forever, with defence needed for the eastern borders of the WRE, an Emperor (dunno who) and Hemerics successor will make a deal to settle his people in OTL Austria (Raetia and Noricum) for the defence of the empire. (I know spoilers but I needed to confirm this). However you are right as with a phase of Romanisation will eventually occur and lead the Suebi to speak a vulgarised version of Gallo-Latin probably being similar to Burgundian or Old French.
 
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-The city of Lutetia/Paris is still called Lutetia because in the 7th century the city is still under classical Gallo-Roman control. As it was strategical in the defence of Gaul at this time, Gratian saw that it and other cities in Gallia Lugdunensis.
Even in the IVth century (so before the PoD), the name Lutetia stopped to be used. Parisos or Paris are Gallo-Roman names :
when I say "classical" Roman, I mean the I and IInd century (for what matter Gaul anyway), and it should be noted that even there, it may not have been the usual name.

Considering it's a 406 PoD, I'm sorry to insist on what remain a detail : but the late Imperial names would most probably have precedence (as mentioned, probably not just for Paris)

As for strategic value, it certainly have one, but it wasn't that obvious. It was, after all, troughly ignored by several invaders, as Attila.
Less of a gateway (don't get me wrong, it was one), and more of a garrison town. It's the reason Gratian gathered his forces there, after all : a more or less central place with fortification and structures for winter quarterings.
Sens, Orléans were probably more important in the region at this time.

Maybe re-writing it as "as it was one of the most important cities along the river"?

-The Suebi actually won't settle in Gaul forever, with defence needed for the eastern borders of the WRE, an Emperor (dunno who) and Hemerics successor will make a deal to settle his people in OTL Austria (Raetia and Noricum) for the defence of the empire. (I know spoilers but I needed to confirm this).
My bad, then. I tought, as they were to settle southern Gaul, that it was a definitive establishment.

That said, I'm not sure such a transplant would be easy. After all a foedus gave Barbarian quite a room, and being taken from a still wealthy southern Gaul (especially Narbonensis) to a really less interesting place such as Norica (less wealthy, more prone to be raided)...I would have tought it would be easier for the Emperor X to just federate which ever people would stand next to Danube.

However you are right as with a phase of Romanisation will eventually occur and lead the Suebi to speak a vulgarised version of Gallo-Latin probably being similar to Burgundian or Old French.
Actually, I think I'm wrong then (yes, I'm that annoying). If they are to settle Norica, the basis may likely be more Retho-Roman than Gallo-Roman. That said, being a less romanized region and more "open", I'm not too sure how deep the linguistical change would be. If Romania is still around on the VIIIth century, though, it's likely to have a Retho-Roman language being there.
 
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Foedus in Narbonensis
An excerpt from Theudemirus the Elder's "Sons of the Rhein" (602)

"A year after the crossing of the Rhein, Hemeric and the Suebic tribes travelled south down to Lugdunum, the capital of West Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis. Hemeric besieged the settlement and seized it from Roman authorities causing most if not all Roman influence in central Gaul to drastically weaken. The Roman officials called upon Gratian, the usurper in Britannia, to fight against the Suebi while Honorius had been distracted in a conflict with the Alemanni in the Alps. Acknowledging the need for help in Lugdunum, Gratian partially abandoned the military defences of the Sequana to attack the Suebi in the highlands of Gaul. This opening allowed for the Vandals and Alans to raid much of the Sequana Riviera. Not judging his own position by the raids, Gratian made the foolish descision to go ahead with fighting in the highlands. The Suebi held out for a number of months in some places but by the winter of 1161 (In Roman Years), Hemeric was vastly defeated and decided to migrate peacefully southward to the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis, where they would peacefully gain foederati under Emperor Honorius on the condition they fight for him against the pretender.​

Now with the Suebi, Vandals and Romans attacking him, Gratian retreated and held his defensive river lines. He gained the support of the Frankish warlords who seeked to secure their position in Gaul. The Vandalic invasion was probably the most successful after the Battle of Rotomagnus forced much of Gratians forces back to Britannia, and allowed for their forces to travel west to Armorica where they were cornered by Roman and Gratians returning forces. The Romano-Suebi invasion was stronger and more successful, seizing almost all of Gaul south Bononia. Hemeric was granted the city of Lugdunum and its surronds and he moved his capital there, allowing for the prosperity of the Suebic Kingdom. This was the first major Germanic kingdom within the confines of Rome and certainly wasn't the last. The Vandals/Alans however were vastly outnumbered by the Emperor and forced into an unfair vassalage giving up much of their gains east of Armorica. The Frankish warlords were displeased with the Britannian ruler and declared independence from Roman conflicts, and established power over much of former Vandal controlled area in eastern Gaul which was to become the base of the Kingdom of the Franks. Although the Romans won the war, who really made the most benefit out of an estranged Gaul?"​
 
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Ortum Suetonius
An excerpt from the writings of Adrianus of Ravenna (562)

"The Empire was vastly weakened by the civil war against the pretender Gratian whom had refused submitting to Emperor Honorius on various occasions. The true victors of the crisis were the Suebi under King Hemeric, whom had settled in Narbonensis after fleeing Gratians forces in Gallia Lugdenensis. The Suebi fought for the Emperor on various occasions in Gaul and beyond, and many of the most fierce warriors became "adopted Romans". Hemeric himself, was not keen to rid himself of his old ways and opposed becoming Roman among his family and generals. This divide between the Suebi struck down with the civil crisis of 1168, in which the Visigoths invaded Italy, but Hemeric and much of the Suebi opposed fighting, as they had only just settled and did not want to ruin their chance of building a better society. Various Suebic leaders, whom were empathetic to the Roman cause broke away from the Kingdom and went across the Alps to defend Italy. This group known as the Thousand Suebi were key in the defense of Italy against Visigothic forces.

Hemeric, angered by the mutiny amongst his own ranks decided to betray the Emperor by marching into Italy and assisting the Visigothic forces in a secondary attack in 1169. The attack was superbly successful, the Romans not expecting Hemeric to turn on them and burn their cities to the ground. The two tribal kingdoms decided to settle themselves in Cisalpine Gaul and blockade the Roman armies from entering Italy. The majority of Suebi settled with Hemeric in Cisalpine Gaul but a large portion intermixed with the native Gauls in Narbonensis, founding various new towns across southern Gaul and especially in Massilia. The Suebic settlers in Cisalpine Gaul razed and pillaged much of the Po Valley and established a large fortress near the city of Mediolanum, declared the capital by Hemeric. At this time Hemeric and his family converted to Arian Christianity to affirm their alliance with the Visigoths. They adopted many Roman institutions within their Kingdom including Latin to be their legal language and adopting Roman laws, taken from the nobility of the region."
 
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