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Does anyone have any information about Gainas, the Usurper who laid seige to Constantinople in 400AD? I know he was 'Magister Utriusque Militiae' and was in league with the gothic Comes Tribigild, and in all likelyhood had mostly gothic forces under his command. I also know that the Column of Arcadius was erected to commemorate the 'victory' of Gainas defeat in 400AD by the army and inhabitants of Constantinople itself.
Any info gratefully received.
Adrian Coombs-Hoar
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Gainas was a Gothic warrior who enlisted in the Roman Army - probably as a foederatus - sometime late in the 4th Century AD. In 399 AD he became Magister Militum, replacing Leo.
After being driven from Constantinople, he and his Gothic warband were ambushed and defeated by another Gothic foederatus, Fravitta. Gainas and his surviving followers fled into the territory of the Huns, but were killed by the Hunnic chief Uldin. The latter sent Gainas' head to Emperor Arcadius as a gift.
Thats about all I know
Jaida :-) <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" title="Smile" />:-)
