The Whole North Into Gaul

[Flavivs Aetivs]

Thanks guys!

In my academic experience and research, it is the abstract which entices the reader/researcher (or not). I suggest that you submit an abstract to the publisher. Keep it brief. If it appeals to the publisher, then it is likely you will be contacted.

Petrus Augustinus
(aka Pierre Kleff)

Well right now I'd at least have to have an initial draft of the entire book completed before I submit an abstract to a publisher. Currently I have two out of nine chapters at that stage.

Can’t really add much to your chapter on the Roman army except to say that Alemany in his book ‘Sources on the Alans’ surmises that Sambida (in 440 at least) was recognised by the Romans as a chief and not a king like other prominent Alans like Goar/Goachar/Echocar, Respendial and the unknown Alan king at the siege of Bazas.

I need to get this, particularly for the section on the Alans.

I have not seen an update on the section of your paper covering the actual battle of Catalaunian Fields but Ulf Tackholm has an interesting take on Jordanes version of the battle and the period following the battle in his paper “Aetius and the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields”.

I'm aware of Tackholm's work but can't find it. Not online, at least.

So was Aetius a victim of Gothic propaganda. Not only Gothic propaganda but also the works of Sidonius where his father-in-law Avitus talked the Visigoths into joining Aetius against the Huns and not Aetius himself.

I somewhat disagree with this. It is rather certain that Avitus did negotiate with the Gothic court in 451, because sources other than Sidonius confirm that he had negotiated the treaty of 439. So this is probably an exaggeration on a real action he took.

Aetius himself was half-Gothic, something Jordanes probably knew. Pelagia was Gothic, and Aetius had spent time in the Gothic court as a hostage. I see no real reason why Jordanes would therefore marginalize Aetius, rather than attribute his achievements to his Gothic influence.

I have not seen an update on the section of your paper covering the actual battle of Catalaunian Fields...

I might as well upload it. Need to do more regarding examining the original Latin, in regards to Whately's theory that it's a political statement.