09-14-2010, 04:26 AM
Conal has a point. And Robert once mentioned that some "theorist" concluded that Vortigern was Gothic like Fritigern, the guy unaware two differing languages give two dissimilar meanings: one from Vor-tigernus ("over-lord") and the other from Frith-i-gairns ("having gained faith"). I suppose there could be other meanings to the nomen Riothamos. For instance, Thamos was the father of Iris (springtime - renewal) in classical Greek, similar in Latin. So the name could have meant "Prince of Renewal" or "King of Renewal." And as Robert just mentioned above, this was not a title. My own name, Campbell, means "crooked-mouth" as in "wry-mouth," perhaps the reason I'm forever cracking bad jokes. :wink:
More important, the above posts show examples of a newer way of looking at post-Roman Britain, a Britain that was Roman for over two generations longer than the Victorians believed. The 410 date was conjecture based on a poor reading of an isolated letter. In actuality, there must have been lively correspondance between the Britons and the court of Honorius after the 409 ousting of the magistrates of Constantinus III. The Riothamus example can be further backed by Constantius of Leon, who mentions that twice Bishop Germanus interceded in broils between Ravenna and the British Armoricans. (It was during this last appeal by Germans that he died in Italy.) Likewise, archaeology has revealed that many Roman forts were still occupied well into the 5th century. If we place the Roman cavalry into this revised context, and if we believe that two or three alas remained upon the Isle after Constantine removed to the continent, then Roman horsemen had a lengthened influence upon the island's defenses.
More important, the above posts show examples of a newer way of looking at post-Roman Britain, a Britain that was Roman for over two generations longer than the Victorians believed. The 410 date was conjecture based on a poor reading of an isolated letter. In actuality, there must have been lively correspondance between the Britons and the court of Honorius after the 409 ousting of the magistrates of Constantinus III. The Riothamus example can be further backed by Constantius of Leon, who mentions that twice Bishop Germanus interceded in broils between Ravenna and the British Armoricans. (It was during this last appeal by Germans that he died in Italy.) Likewise, archaeology has revealed that many Roman forts were still occupied well into the 5th century. If we place the Roman cavalry into this revised context, and if we believe that two or three alas remained upon the Isle after Constantine removed to the continent, then Roman horsemen had a lengthened influence upon the island's defenses.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
