June 28, 0572
Alboin, King of the Lombards, was assassinated. His death led to a period of instability and power struggles within the Lombard Kingdom in Italy.
Verona, Lombard Kingdom | Lombard Kingdom
On June 28, 572, Alboin, the King of the Lombards, was assassinated in Verona, a pivotal event that led to a period of instability and power struggles within the Lombard Kingdom in Italy.
Alboin became king of the Lombards around 560 AD. Under his leadership, the Lombards, a Germanic people, migrated from Pannonia (modern-day Hungary) into Italy in 568 AD. This migration marked the beginning of the Lombard Kingdom in Italy, which would play a significant role in the region’s history.
Alboin’s invasion of Italy was facilitated by the weakened state of the Byzantine Empire, which controlled much of the Italian Peninsula at the time. The Lombards quickly seized control of large parts of northern Italy, establishing their capital in Pavia.
Alboin’s assassination was the result of a conspiracy involving his wife, Rosamund, and her lover, Helmichis. The motive behind the plot was deeply personal and rooted in a series of events that humiliated Rosamund. According to historical accounts, Alboin forced Rosamund to drink from a cup made from the skull of her father, Cunimund, whom Alboin had killed in battle. This act of humiliation and the subsequent strained relationship between Alboin and Rosamund set the stage for the conspiracy.
On June 28, 572, Alboin was murdered in his palace in Verona. The conspirators took advantage of his vulnerability, as he was reportedly intoxicated and unable to defend himself effectively.
The assassination of Alboin led to a period of turmoil and instability within the Lombard Kingdom. Rosamund and Helmichis attempted to seize power but faced resistance from other Lombard nobles. Their efforts ultimately failed, and they fled to Ravenna, seeking refuge with the Byzantines.
The power vacuum left by Alboin’s death resulted in a lack of centralized leadership, leading to internal conflicts among the Lombard dukes. This fragmentation weakened the Lombard Kingdom, making it more susceptible to external threats and internal dissent.
Despite the initial chaos, the Lombards eventually stabilized under the leadership of subsequent kings, such as Authari and Agilulf, who managed to consolidate power and continue the Lombard presence in Italy.
Alboin’s assassination is a significant event in the history of the Lombards, illustrating the challenges of maintaining unity and control in a newly established kingdom. It also highlights the complex interplay of personal vendettas and political power struggles that characterized the early medieval period in Europe.
Source: en.wikipedia.org