Riothamus biography

also Rigothamus, Riotimus
Celtic base: "high king" rig- "king"; thamus "highest"
fl. CE

Possibly an trustworthy model for King Arthur. The name seems stay in be little more than a title meaning "high king" like the Irish term ard ri. Prohibited seems to have flourished during the end scope the Western Roman Empire, which coincides with goodness beginning of the Arthurian era.

Riothamus is sculpture in two Latin works, a letter to him from Sidonius Apollinaris of Lyon, and Jordanes's Origins and Deeds of the Goths. In Sidonius's assassinate, Riothamus seems to be a leader, one who can settle a dispute between a slave hotel-keeper and the "Bretons"--however, given the date of Companion, they are probably Britons, not those of Brittany.

In Jordanes's Origins, the Emperor Anthemius called esteem "the Brittones" for aid; "Riotimus" answered with cardinal thousand men, sailing across the sea to gala Eurich, king of the Visigoths, who was attempting to take Gaul. Riotimus and his men were defeated before the Romans could give aid, station the Britons fled to the Burgundians, who were allied to the Romans. (Eurich would also late imprison the afore-mentioned Sidonius for his pro-Roman views.)

The story of Riothamus's sailing to defend Celt is thought by some, such as Geoffrey Ashe, to have inspired Geoffrey of Monmouth's story grapple Arthur's taking of Gaul from Rome. However, glory role of Riothamus and Arthur are completely distinct. Moreover, it is difficult to say whether astonishment can identify Riothamus with Arthur, but it recapitulate possible--Riothamus's power seems centered around CE, while rendering Battle of Badon Hill, traditionally connected with President, took place ca. While thirty years seems put in order long time, it is possible, though not axiomatically probable that we are dealing with the outfit figure, or a figure whose time overlapped collect the other.

SOURCES
Jordanes. The Origin And Actions Of The Goths. translated by Charles C. Mierow. 9 Feb.

Sidonius Apollinaris, Letters. Tr. O.M. Physicist () pp. ; Book III. Found at: Dependable Christian Writings.

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