Annex 2.
Fragment of Mauro Orbini’s book entitled “Origine de gli Slavi & Progresso dell’Imperio Loro”
Having exhausted our body of knowledge concerning the Prussian Slavs (degli Slaui Prussi), let us move on to the Russian Slavs (a’ gli Slaui di Russia), which we customarily refer to as Muscovites (Moscouiti) nowadays. When all the other Slavs departed from Sarmatia and headed towards the German Sea (il mar Germanico) and the Danube (il Danubio), the Muscovites stayed in the land of their forefathers. Ancient authors refer to them in different ways. Elio Spartiano and Capitolino call them Rossolani in the “Life of Pius”, likewise Flauio Vopisco in his “Life of Aurelian”. Pliny (Plinio) calls them Tossolani (IV, 12), Ptolemy (Tolomeo) uses the term “Trossolani”, Strabon (VII) favours the names “Rhassnali” and “Rhossani”, and Rafael Volaterrano calls them “Ruteni”, as well as many other authors.
However, today we normally call them “Russi”, or “the disseminated” (“Disseminati”), since “Rosseia” stands for “dissemination” in the language of the Slavs, or the Russian language (nella lingua Russa, o’ Slaua). The name suits them well, since after their conquest of the entire European Sarmatia and a part of Asian Sarmatia (tutta la Sarmatia Europea, e alcuna parte di quella dell'Asia) their colonies covered the area between the Arctic Ocean (dall'Oceano agghiacciato) and the Mediterranean (al mare Mediterraneo), the Adriatic Gulf (Golfo Adriatico), the Great Sea (dal mar Maggiore) and the Baltic Ocean (fin'all' Oceano Baltico). Furthermore, according to Joachim Meyer (Giacomo Meyero) (I), they also sent colonists to Flanders (nella Fiandra), where they are known as Ruteni. This is why the Greek authors called them “Sporri”, as Procopius of Caesarea (Procopio di Cesarea) informs us – the name translates as “scattered nation”.
They live in European Sarmatia to this very day, having greatly expanded the borders of their empire with the force of their weapons. According to Sigismund von Herberstein (Sigismondo Herbersteino), the reason why the Russians managed to attain such great power is that they had either banished all the other nations from their territory or made them accept their lifestyle. Therefore, the Russian Kingdom (il Regno di Russia) reaches River Tanais (Tana fiume) and the Meotian Marshes (la Palude Meotide) in the East, Lithuania (la Lituania) and River Peuce (il fiume Peuce) in the North, as well as another river called Polma (ch’e detto Polma), which separates Russia from Finland (da Finlandia). According to Herberstein, the Russians call the latter “Chainscha Semla”). In the West, their lands reach Livonia, Prussia and Poland (Liuonia, Prussia & Polonia), and their southern borders are defined by the Sarmatian Mountains (I mo~ti Sarmatici) and River Tiras (il fume Tira), which is known as Niesto today.
The lands mentioned above also include Yougoria (Iugaria), or Yougra (Iuhra) in Russian, which is whence the Huns (gli Vnni) set forth, and, having conquered Pannonia under the leadership of Attila, destroyed many European countries. This is why the Russians are so proud of the great conquests made by their subjects in the days of yore. Thus, the Russian denizens of Sarmatia gathered a reputation of a militant and indomitable nation, according to Giambulari and Gunther (Guntero) (IV). They fought as allies of the Roman Empire (l’Imperio Romano) in the war waged by Pompey the Great (Pompeo il grande) against Mithridates, King of the Pontus (Mitridate Re di Ponto). Russians fought on Pompey’s side, led by Prince Tazovaz (Tasouaz Principe), whom Strabon (Strabone) and Blondus (Biondo) call Tasius (Tasio). According to Strabon (VII), Russian warriors were armed with swords, bows and spears, wore armour and defended themselves with shields made of oxen hide. They fought countless wars against their neighbours as well as nations, kingdoms and empires that lay at some distance from them. According to Gioanni Auentino (II), it was still the reign of Emperor Vitellius (Vitellio) when they crossed the Danube (il Danubio), and, having defeated two legions of Roman soldiers, invaded Mesia, killing Consularis and Vicegerent Agrippa (Agrippa Consolare, & Presidente).
Michael Salonitan (Michele Salonitano) reports that they settled in the Illirian Mesia around that time (la Mesia dell’Illirico), and started calling themselves “Rassiani”. They also took part in the devastating campaigns of the Goths (Gothi), afflicting Europe and other lands. According to Herberstein, they were all called Goths after the leaders of the campaigns in question. The Russians also wreaked great havoc upon the Greek Empire (l’Imperio de Greci). During the reign of Leo Lacapen (Leone Lacapeno), a fleet of 15.000 ships brought a great multitude of warriors to Constantinople (la Citta di Costa~tinopoli), laying the city under siege, as Zonara informs us (III).
The same happened under Emperor Constantine Monomakh (di Constantino Monomaco Imperadore). This gives us a good idea of the greatness and the power of the Slavic nation, which managed to build such a great fleet in a short period of time – no other nation had ever accomplished anything of the sort. However, the Greek authors in their attempt to exalt the deeds of their nation, write that the Russians came home almost empty-handed. On the contrary, Jeremy the Russian (Geremia Russo) reports in his annals that the Russians killed many Greeks and came home with spoils galore. In the year 6886 since Genesis (as per the Russian era) Dmitriy, Great Prince of Russia (il gra~ Duca di Russia Demetrio) defeated Mamai, King of the Tartars (gran Re` de'Tartari chiamato Mamaij). Three years later he fought this king once again, and, according to Herberstein, put him to complete rout: the land was covered in bodies for more than thirteen miles round about.
I say nothing about many other great feats of this mighty nation, since it is no intention of mine to write annals – I merely aim to give a brief account of the most heroic deeds of the Russian nation. Those wishing to learn more details should turn to the annals of Jeremy the Russian, Sigismund Herberstein and Francesco Bisio from Bergamo, who spent much time in Russia (nella Russia) describing the deeds of the Russian nation. Sabellicus (il Sabellico) also mentions the Russians (III). Rather recently, a certain author from Krakow (un certo Cracouita) gave a detailed description of both parts of Sarmatia.
Therefore, the more curious readers can find a great deal of useful information concerning the deeds of the Muscovites, or Russians (both names are used today) in the works of the authors mentioned above. In their pagan years, the Russians, or the Muscovites, worshipped certain idols (Idoli). According to Mekhovskiy (il Mecouita), the names of these idols were Peroun (Pior), or lightning, Stribog (STRIBO), Khors (CORSO) and Makosh (MOCOSLO). We have no information about the party that made them abandon idolatry and converted them to Christianity. Russian chronicles (negli Annali loro) proudly claim that Russia was baptised and blessed by St. Andrew, one of Christ’s disciples (Andrea discepolo di Christo). According to their chronicles, he arrived from Greece (dalla Grecia), came to the estuary of Boristhenes (del Boristene) and travelled up the river to the very place where Kiev (Chiouia) stands today, where he baptised the whole nation and blessed its name, mounting a cross and predicting that many churches would be built there to the greater glory of the Lord. St. Andrew proceeded towards the great lake of Volokh (nel gran Lago di Vuoloch) at the source of Boristhenes, and reached the Lake Ilmer (nel Lago d’Ilmer) by River Lorvat (il fiume Loruat). Next he travelled to Novgorod by River Volkhov (il fiume Vuolchou), and then further to Lake Ladoga (nel Lago di Ladoga) and River Neva (al fiume Heua). Then he reached the Varangian Sea (Vuaretzchoie). This is the name used by the Russians – the natives of Vinland (Vuilandia) and Livonia (Liuonia) call it “German Sea” (mar Germani). From its shores he sailed towards Rome (a Roma).
The Russians also believe that Apostle Thaddeus (San Tadeo Apostolo) preached to them, converting many to the Christian faith. According to Giambulari, this is the reason why the Russians revere him more than any other saint. However, certain Greek authors deny this, claiming that the light of Christianity reached Russia many centuries later. However, even if the claims of the Russians are true, one cannot deny the fact that they reverted to paganism subsequently. Zonara (III) tells us that Emperor Basil of Macedon (Basilio Macedone Imperadore) sent Bishop Theophilus to the lands of the Russians so as to convert them to Christianity – said Bishop cast the Gospel into fire at the insistence of the Russians, and the holy book remained unscathed. Russian chronicles report that Christianity was brought to their kingdom by Czarina or Princess Olga (Olha Regina, o Duchessa di Russia). Here is a brief account of this event.
Prince Igor (Igor Principe) married this very Olga of Pskov (di Plesco) and departed to faraway lands with a mighty army. Upon reaching Heraclea and Nicomedia, he was defeated in battle and killed on his way home by Maldit, Prince of the Drevlyane Slavs (Malditto Principe de gli Slaui Drevauliani) at Korest (Coreste), where his grave can be found to this day. Since Vratoslav (Vratoslau), the son of Igor, was too young to reign, the kingdom was ruled by his mother Olga. The Drevlyane sent 20 ambassadors (Ambasciadori) to her court, who proposed her to marry Prince Maldit. [There is a remark on the margins of the book – “cf. the Slavs called Scythians (Scithi) by Q. Curtio and their 20 ambassadors sent to Alexander the Great (Alessandro Magno)”]. Olga ordered to seize those ambassadors and bury them alive. Before the news of this deed could reach the Drevlyane, Olga sent her own ambassadors to their leader with the request to send her another 50 ambassadors from the most distinguished families if the Drevlyane really wanted her to become their queen. 50 of the most noble Drevlyane were sent to her instantly; she ordered to lock them up in a bathing-house and burn them, and then sent envoys to the Drevlyane (a’Drevueliani), announcing her arrival and ordering to prepare honeyed water and everything else needed to hold a wake for her late husband.
Having arrived to Drevlyania (in Drevueliania), Olga, in mourning, held a solemn wake for her husband, and, having got the Drevlyane drunk unconscious, killed about five thousand of them. Then she returned to Kiev, gathered an army and led it against the Drevlyane. After the victory, she set forth towards the city where the survivors had fled, laying it under siege for a whole year to follow. Finally, a truce was negotiated under the condition that each household in the besieged city should give Olga three sparrows and three pigeons. Having received the ransom, Olga tied some sort of a fuse to the birds' wings and set them free. Soon after the birds returned to their nests, nearly every household caught fire and burned to the ground. The survivors had no other option but to come out and surrender themselves to Olga. Some of the Drevlyane were killed, others enslaved. Having occupied all the lands of the Drevlyane and avenged the death of her husband most thoroughly, Olga came back to Kiev. A short while later, she went to Constantinople (a' Constantinopoli), the imperial residence of John I Tzimiskes (Gioanni Zimiscia), and got baptised, changing the name of Olga for Helena. Olga came home with lavish gifts from the emperor. Russians compare her to the sun, whose rays make the whole world warm – indeed, the wise and prudent Olga brought the light of the Christian faith to the kingdom of the Russians.
After the death of Olga, the throne went to her son Svyatoslav (Suatoslauo), who closely followed his mother in piety and Christian faith. Svyatoslav was succeeded by his son Vladimir (Volodimir), who strayed away from the divine heritage of his predecessors and restored idolatry. The first idol that he had installed in Kiev was called Peroun (Pero) and had a head of silver; others were all made of wood. They were called Ouslad (Uslad), Khors (Corsa), Dazhbog (Dasvaa), Stribog (Striba), Simargl (Simaergla), Makosh (Macosch), and Kumiry (Cvmeri). These idols received offerings. After Vladimir had killed his two brothers, Yaropolk (Ieropolco) and Oleg (Olego), becoming the sole liege of Russia, he was visited by envoys of many different nations. All of them tried to convert him into their religion. Seeing such a great abundance of faiths, Vladimir sent envoys of his own to find out about the particularities and the rites of each sect or religion. Having chosen the Greek variety of Christianity, he sent ambassadors to Emperors Basil and Constantine in Constantinople (all'Imperadore Basilio, e Constantino), bearing the following promises: Vladimir would become a Christian, likewise all his people, and return Korsun (Corso), as well as all the other Greek lands in his possession, with the condition that the Emperor's sister Anna should become his wife. Having received the Emperor's consent, a time and a place (Korsun) were chosen for the signing of the treaty. When both parties arrived in Korsun, Vladimir was baptised and christened Basil (Basilio). After the wedding Vladimir returned Korsun and other Greek lands to the Greeks, as he had promised.
After this, Vladimir installed a Metropolitan (il Metropolitano) in Kiev, an archbishop (l'Arciuescouo) in Novgorod (in Nouograd), and bishops (Vescoui) in other towns and cities, all of them blessed by the Patriarch of Constantinople (dal Patriarca di Constantinopoli). The Russians have adhered to the Greek faith ever since. According to Lambert of Saffnabourg (Lamberto Saffnaburgerse), who wrote the history of Germany (di Germania) 500 years ago, in 960 Russians sent envoys to Emperor Otto (ad Ottone Imperadore), who were requesting that a bishop be sent to them in order to propagate the Christian faith by his teaching and his sermons. Adalbert, the emperor's emvoy, barely managed to escape their clutches alive. However, Lambert is making a mistake here, unless the alleged references to Russia, or Ruscia (Russia o' Ruscia) really meant Rugia (di Rugia). After all, according to Helmold (Helmoldo), Adalbert was a German Bishop of Magdeburg (Madeburgo), and not a Bohemian (non fu' Boemo, ma Germano). He was sent to the Slavs (gli Slaui) by Emperor Otto, who lived in Saxony (nella Sassonia) and Rugia around that time, alongside five other bishops. Had Adalbert indeed preached to the Russians, they would have adopted the Roman faith, and not the Greek, which, as we have already stated, they remain loyal to until this very day.
According to Herberstein, the King of Russia has the following title presently: “Great Czar and Lord of All Russia by Leave of the Lord, Great Prince of Vladimir, Moscow, Novgorod, Pskov, Smolensk, Tver, Yougra, Perm, Vyatka, Bulgary etc, Liege and Great Prince of Nizhniy Novgorod, Chernigov, Ryazan, Volotsk, Rzhev, Belev, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Byeloozero, Oudoria, Obdoria, Kondinsk etc” (Il gran Signor N. per la Dio gratia gran Re', & Signor di tutta la Russia, il gran Duca di Volodimiria, Moscouia, Nouogardia, Plescouia, Smolenczchia, Tuueria, Iugaria, di Permia, Viacchia, Bulgaria, & c. Signore, & il gran Duca di Nouogardia terra inferiore, & di Czernigouia, Rozania, Vuolotchia, Rschouuia, di Belya, Rostouia, Iaroslauia, Bielozoria, Vodaria, Obdoria, Codinia, & c.).
According to Charles the Vagrian (il Vvagriese) (II), the Russians from Perm (di Biarmia) were sailing the Arctic Ocean (l'Oceano Settentrionale) one day about 107 years ago, and discovered a previously unknown island inhabited by the Slavs in these parts. As Philip Callimacus (Filippo Callimaco) reports to Pope Innocent VIII (ad Innocenzo ottauo sommo Pontefice), this island remains bound by ice and cold throughout the year. The name of the Island is Philopodia (Filopodia), and it is larger than Cyprus (di Cipro); modern world maps (nei moderni Mapamondi) call it “Novaya Zemlya” (di Nouazemglia). This exhausts the list of known places inhabited by the Slavs that weren't mentioned earlier.
Let us now consider several other nations that also stemmed from the Slavic root, presently extinct. It appears expedient to me to discuss the origin and meaning of the name “Slavs” or “Slovenes” (gli Slaui, o' Slouini), which isn't all that old. According to many sources, the first mention of the Slavs is made by Procopius of Caesarea (Procopio di Cesarea), who described the war between Emperor Justinian (Giustitiano Imperadore) and the Goths (i Gothi) 1070 years ago. The name is also used by Jordan the Alan (Giordano Alano) around the same time, which demonstrates that it was still a novelty in that epoch. The Slavs are also mentioned in the Annals of Blond (Biondo), who was describing the events that preceded the Empire of Honorius and Arcadius (d’Honorio & Arcadio) by a century – this was done a hundred years before the fall of the Roman Empire (dell’Imperio Romano). However, I believe that they were first mention by Ptolemy of Alexandria (Tolomeo Alessandrino), who places the Slavs in the eighth table, erroneously referring to them as “Sulani”, next to the Finns (li Finni), who were Slavic as well, according to Melanchton (Melantone) and his Comments to Tacitus, as well as the “Synonymics” of Abraham Ortelius (Abram Ortelio). Petrus Marcellus (Pietro Marcello) calls them Silanians (Silani) in “The Origins of the Barbarians”, claiming them to be the very same nations as are known as Slovens (Schiauoni) today. This name was doubtlessly subject to alterations in the past, and could be transcribed in a variety of ways. The Greeks, failing to understand the meaning of the word “Slavs”, or “Slovenes” (Slaui, o’ Slauini), transformed it into “Sclavenes” (Sclauini), while the Italians used the term “Sclaui”.
This error was surreptitiously introduced into some copies of Procopius of Caesarea, Jordan and Blond. I believe that it was introduced by the Italians, who often strive to eschew rough pronunciations, according to Martin Cromer (Martin Cromero), often substituting “i” for “l” (thus, “flato” becomes “fiato”, and “place” turns into “piace”; similarly, they say “siauo” instead of “slauo”). Due to the similarities between the respective pronunciations of “siauo” and “sciauo”, Italians, being ignorant of the Slavic language, started to transcribe “slavo” as “sclavo” in Latin transcription. I think this might also be explained by hostile feelings of certain Italians, especially the inhabitants of the Adriatic coast (lungo il mar Adriatico), who suffered greatly at the hands of the Slavs in the past, and were almost completely destroyed by them.
According to John Dubravius (Giouanni Dubrauio), the Slavs got their name from the word “slouo”, which stood for “word” in the language of the Sarmatians, seeing as how all the Sarmatian peoples scattered across the globe speak the same language. The similarities in their pronunciation gave them the moniker “Slovins”, which concurs with the claim made by Martin Cromer about the Slavs getting their name from the word “word” (due to their honesty and penchant for keeping promises). Even to this day the Poles and the Bohemians (li Poloniu, & Boemi) greatly scorn individuals who fail to keep their promises given in good faith; people of noble origins are willing to undergo any hardship and even die instead of breaking a promise once given. Those who fail to practise what they preach risk more than a slap in the face – namely, death by a weapon.
However, leaving the above interpretations of the name “Slav” aside, I hereby dare to claim that it is derived from no other word but “slava”, or “glory” (dalla Gloria), since a Slav, or a Slavon (Slauo, o’ Slauone) translates as “glorious” (Glorioso). After so many triumphs over the enemy, testified to by a multitude of conquered kingdoms and countries, this most valiant nation assumed the name of Glory as its very own. “Slaua”, which stands for “glory”, is the ending of many a noble and famous name: Stanislav, Venceslav, Ladislav, Dobroslav, Radoslav, Boleslav etc (Stanislauo, Vencislao, Ladislao, Dobroslauo, Radoslauo, Boleslauo). This fact is recognised by many eminent authors – one of their ilk is Reiter Reinetius (Reinero Reinecio). In his tractate on Henetians (Henete) he points out that the Slavs received their name from the word “slava” or “glory”, which is something they intended to excel all the other nations in.
The opinion of Reinetius is shared by Jeremy the Russian (Geremia Russo), who wrote the Russian Annals in 1227 (gli Annali di Russia). He reports the following about the military endeavours that took place at Russian borders in 1118: “When Russia was afflicted by internecine wars, Krunoslav (Crunoslau) came to our borders with a mighty Slavic army, and defeated our army in battle. Krunoslav himself had been killed, likewise his son; he was buried near the citadel of Voicha (della Voicha). This nation regularly laid our borders waste, demonstrating great cruelty, despite our blood relation. They are called Slavs, due to their numerous victories and glorious deeds (as I opine, finding a great deal of proof in the ancient tradition of our forefathers)”. Aimon the Monk (Aimone Monaco) and John Aventine (Gioanni Auentino) share the opinion of Jeremy, calling the Slavs not only the most famous German nation, but also the most respected and powerful one.
Bernard Justinian (Bernardo Giustiniano) the Venete (Veneto) is another one to tell us quite unambiguously that the Slavs received their glorious name since they were valiant fighters. In the third volume of “The History of Venetia” he writes the following: “Then the proud Slavic nation invaded Istria and came to the borders of Venetia. Many tribes attacked the Roman Empire in those days – but the Slavs, a Scythian (scitica) nation, received their glorious name because of their military prowess”. Therefore, the nation in question could have no other name but the Slavs, and this is how it was called by many scientists, including Helmold (Helmoldo), Abbot Arnold (Arnoldo Abbate), George Verengerius (Giorgio Vuerenhero), Sigismund Herberstein, Giorgio Cedreno, Johannes Herburt (Gioa~ni Herburto), Alexander Guaino (Alessandro Guaino), Robert Guaino (Roberto Guaino), Giovanni Leunclavio (Gioa~ni Leunclauio), Silbert Genebrard (Silberto Genebrardo), David Chytreo and Hugo Fulvonio (Vgo Fuluonio).
Even if the name of the Slavs is new, the glory they bought with blood and steel is rightly theirs, inherited from forefathers who fought victorious in Asia, Europe and Africa. They were known as Vandals, Burgundions, Goths, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Gepids, Gets, Alanians, Verlians or Gerulians, Avarians, Scyrians, Gyrians, Melanchlens, Bastarns, Peucines, Daci, Swedes, Normans, Fenns or Finns, Ukrians or Unkrans, Marcomen, Quads, Thracians and Illyrians (Vandali, Burgu~dioni, Gothi, Ostrogothi, Visigothi, Gepidi, Geti, Alani, Verli, o` Eruli, Auari, Scyrri, Hyrri, Melancleni, Bastarni, Peuci, Daci, Suedi, Normanni, Fenni, o` Finni, Vchri, o' Vncrani, Marcomanni, Quadi, Traci, & Illirij). They were all Slavs and shared a common language.
Hailing from Scandinavia (della Scandinauia) originally, all these nations (except for the Illyrians and the Thracians) were known under the common name of Goths. Francesco Irenico (III, 10) tells us that the Anti (gli Anti), which were true Slavs, as we demonstrate above, citing Procopius, also happen to be Gothic by origin, referring to Jordan and Ablabius (Ablabio). In Chapter 42 of Book I Francesco Irenico writes that the Goths were the forefathers of the Slavs, the Anti, the Avarians, the Scyrians, the Alanians and a host of other nations. This claim is in good concurrence with the evidence of Ablabius, Jordan of Alania and Paul Barnefried (Paolo Barnefrido).
Procopius (Procopio) writes the following as he describes the deeds of the barbarians (as he calls them) in Volume I of his “War against the Vandals” (who invaded the Roman Empire under Honorius): “In the ancient times there were many Gothic tribes; their numbers remain plentiful, but the greatest and most powerful Goths were known as Vandals, Visigoths and Gepids, formerly known as Sarmatians, and the Melanchlens. Certain authors also call them Geti. All of them differed in name and nothing but – they all had the following common features: white skin, shoulder-long fair hair, large build and pleasant looks. They all had a single law and practised Arianism (sono di setta Arriana), and also spoke a single language called Gothic (Gotico). As I see it, they all came from the same tribe, eventually taking the names of their warlords.
Nicephoras Callistus (Niceforo Calisto) (IV, 56), F. Martin (F. Martino) (VIII) in his “Abbreviated Roman History” and Lucius Faunnus (Lucio Faunno) (VIII) share the opinion of Procopius. Since the Vandals are true Goths, one cannot deny that the Slavs are Goths as well. Many famous writers confirm that the Vandals and the Slavs were a single nation. Blondus, for instance (I) tells us that the Vandals were named after River Vandal (dal fiume Vandalo), subsequently becoming known as the Slavs. John the Great Goth (Gioanni Magno Gotho) (I) writes that the Slavs and the Vandals are really a single people and only differ in name. M. Adam (M. Adamo) says in the II volume of “Ecclesiastic History” that the Slavs were formerly known as Vandals. Pier Francesco Giambilari (I) writes that, according to numerous references made by Barnefrid, Jordan, Methodius (Metodio) and Irenico, the Vandals were initially a Gothic tribe, even if they became very hostile towards them subsequently (history knows many such incidences).
They lived in the part of Germany presently occupied by Moravia, Silesia, Bohemia, Poland and Russia, between the Germanic Ocean (l'Oceano ancora di Germania) in the North and Istria and Slavonia (l'Istria, & la Slauonia) in the South. Gianbulari proves this by the most significant circumstance that all the provinces (Prouintie) in question speak the same language. The same is claimed by Albert Crantius (Alberto Crantio) to the foreword to “Saxony” and Peter Suffrid (Pietro Suffrido) (II); the latter writes that the ancient Boyi (i Boij) were chased away by the Marcomen, or Vandals (Vandali), which remain masters of Bohemia to this very day.
Thus, the Bohemians are the Vandals whose name derives from the ancient name of their province. They were known as Marcomen previously – or, more generally speaking, as Vandals. Moreover, their common origin is also proven by the linguistic uniformity. He proceeds to tell us in the very same book that the natives of Westphalia and Ostphalia (Vesuali and Osuali) “were Vandals, known by the name of Vali, since the Vandals had several monikers – Vandals, Venedes, Vendians, Henetians, Venetians, Vinitians, Slavs and Vali (Vandali, Venedi, Ve~di, Heneti, & Veneti, & Viniti, & Slaui, & finamente Vali), according to Saxon Grammaticus (Sassone Gra~matico), Helmold, Silvius (Enea Siluio), Crantius, Irenico, Reinentius (Reine~cio), Latius (Lazio) and many others. All their numerous and diverse names can be found in the works of the above authors and need not be listed presently.
The above makes it obvious that no other Germanic nation was quite as great as the Vandals, whose colonies spread all across Asia, Africa and Europe. Their settlements can be found everywhere in Europe – from the North to the South, from the Germanic Sea to the Mediterranean. Therefore, the Muscovites, the Russians, the Poles, the Bohemians, the Cherkassians (Cercassi), the Dalmatians (Dalmatini), the Istrians (Istriani), Bosnian Croats, Bulgarians (Bulgari), Rassiani and many other nations all have common Vandal roots, despite the differences in names. This is also proven by their common language. This is what we learn from Suffrid.
Albert Crantius, wishing to emphasise the unity of the Slavs and the Vandals, uses the term “Vandals” for referring to the Slavs, as we learn from his books “Vandalia” and “Saxony”. Herberstein's “Notes on the Affairs of the Muscovites” also prove this fact. The author reports (referring to Russian chronicles) that, failing to reach a concordance, the Russians summoned the rulers of Vagria (Vvagria Citta') to help them elect a new prince – a Vandal province, formerly of great fame, located near Lubeck (Lubecca) and the Duchy of Holstein (al Ducato di Holsatia).
The vandals, who were very powerful in that epoch and spoke the same language as the Russians, also sharing their customs and religion, sent three brothers of their most distinguished clan – Ryurik, Sineus and Truvor (Rurich, Sinav and Truvor). Ryurik received the Principality of Novgorod(il possessio di Nouogardia), Sineus settled in the region of Byeloye Ozero, or White Lake (lago Albo), and Truvor got the Principality of Pskov (il principato di Plescouia), with his royal residence located in the city of Izborsk (residenza nella Citta' di Svuortzech). Peter Atropius of Pomerania (Pietro Artopeo Pomerano) also doesn't distinguish between the Vandals and the Russians. He tells us in “Munster” that the entire Magnopolese Region between Holstein and Livonia was populated by the Vandals, or the Slavs. Therefore, taking into account the learned opinions of such earnest and famous authors, one can claim the Goths, the Visigoths, the Vandals and the Gets to be the same Slavic nation. For greater demonstrability, I provide a list of words from the II book of Carlo Vagriese and the XI book of Latius, which were used by the ancient Vandals, according to said writers.
WORDS
Vandal Slavic Translation
baba baba old woman (maid)
bieda bieda misfortune
boditi bosti to put, to stick
boty biecve stockings (shoes)
boy boy battle
brat brat brother
brod brod boat (ford)
buchvuize buchviza book (letter)
cachel cotol cauldron
chizipati chihati to sneeze
chtiti htiti to desire
chvaly huala glory
culich kulich Easter cake
czerzi cetiri four
czetron cetrun citron
czysti cisti clean
dar dar gift
desna desna right
dol dol valley
dropati darpati to shave
dum dom house
dvuaziuo duoiestuo two
dyeliti dieliti to share
dyl dil share
dynia digna melon
gladkhi gladki smooth
gnysti gnyesdo nest
golubo golub pigeon
grob grob tomb (coffin)
grom grom thunder
hora gora mountain
hruscha kruscha pear
kada kuda tail (of a whale)
kaftan coftagn kaftan
kamora camara room, chamber
kila kila hernia
klach klak limestone
klap hlap servant
klatiti klatiti to beat
klich kgliuc key
klynoti klonuti to bend
kobla~ch klobuch hat (hood)
kobyla kobyla mare
koczka macka cat
kolo kolo wheel
korzen korien root
kost kost bone
kriti kriti to cover
krug krug circle
kuchas kuhac cook
kuchinie kuhinia kitchen
kurvua kurva prostitute (curve)
lagithi laiati to bark
lechchy lachscij light
lepsi liepsci the most beautiful
levu lav lion
libo gliubau love
lisy plisy bald
lopata lopata spade
lost suietlost light
loter lotar coward
lug lug meadow
lyd gliudi people
maluasy maluasia malmsey
masdra mesgra guts
matiti mlatiti to thresh
mayti myti to wash
med med honey
mez mac sword
milikuo mlieko milk
mincze minza coin
mistr mestar master
miziati misciati to pee
mlady mlad young
mogu mogu i can
mucha muha fly
mule mlin mill
mus musc husband
muy moi mine
myss mysc mouse
nagy nago naked
nass nasc our
navavu navo` hire
navuchyer nauchyer helmsman
nevuiesta neviesta bride
novuy nouy new
okruzij kruzy surrounded
olobo olouo lead (tin?)
opuchh opach curved
pakole pachole boy
pasti pasti to herd
pavu paun peacock
pechar pehar glass
perla perla pearl
pero pero feather
pflaster implastar plaster
piet pet five
pisati pisati to write
pitati pitati to question
pithi piti to drink
plachta plato kerchief
placz plaza plaza
plamen plamen flame
plavuiti plauiti to swim
plesati plesati to dance
plin pun full
plyge pluchia lungs
pochoy pochoy rest
poczvuati pociuati to linger
pogiti poyti to water
postdye poslye after
potokh potok stream
praczovuati prazouati to produce
prosach prosiak beggar
prositi prositi to beg
prut prut rod
ptach ptich bird
pust pusto empty
rabota rabota work
razlog raslog reason
rozum razum mind
ruzie ruse rose
safran ciafran saffron
saumar kramar groom
scarlet scarlat scarlet
schergiti siati to sow
schornia scorgne high boots
scoda scoda damage
sechyra sechyra pole-axe
sediate sedieti to sit
sedil sedlo saddle
sestra sestra sister
siti siati to sow
sledovuaty sliedouati to follow
smitti smiati to laugh
snych snig snow
sobota subota Saturday
ssilhan lihan cross-eyed
stal stol table
stati stati to stand
strach strah fear
strossati strossati to cut
stuol stuol table
suuynie suigna pig
svuager suak brother-in-law
svuanti sveti saint
tanecz tanaz dance
tele tele calf
tenchhy tanchy thin
teneta tonoti trap (to pull)
tepli toplo warm
teta teta aunt
tisytz tissuchia thousand
tlaisiti tlaciti to lock up
tma tma darkness
tobole tobolaz sack
tribuch tarbuh stomach (tripe)
truba trubgua chimney
truhy truhauo sad
tuti tucchi to grind
te~czouati ta~czouati to dance
vncza vncia ounce
volk vuk wolf
vualiti vuagliati to scatter
vuasate vesati to knit
vudovuecz vdovaz widower
vuich vik eternal (century)
vuidieti vidieti to see
vuiter vietar wind
vule voglia will
vunach vnuch grandson
vuoda voda water
vuoliti volieti to choose
vuyno vyno wine
vvedro vedro clear
zalogi zaloghi clutches
zhuchar zuchar sugar
ziena zena wife
zima zima cold (winter)
ztrevuicz zrevic shoes
zumby zuby teeth
zvuati zvati to call
For those who know the Slavic language, it is quite clear that the above words of the ancient vandals are Slavic. Therefore we can confidently say that the Goths, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Gepids, Goths, and Vandals (Va~Dali) were Slavs by Nationality and language.
Procopius of Caesarea, who was in troops of Belisarius (Bellisario) during his campaigns against the ready and personally visited all these peoples, also recognizes that all of them one nation, have the same name and speak the same language, according to their expression, Gothic.
The origin of the Alans was addressed by Peter Cruzber (Pietro Crusber) in his work on the northern peoples. He argues that they were Wends, i.e., Slavs. He also confirms Eremey Russky in his annals and Matvei Mekhovsky (I, 13), the latter writing that Alans, Vandals, Sueui, Burgundy lived in the kingdom of Poland (del Regno di Polonia) and spoke in Polish (lingua Polona), i.e., Slavonic language Pierre Francesco Jambulari and Irenico (I) argue that the bohemians originated from these Alans, whom Karl Vagri (II) calls the Slavs. Cruzber (I) and Albert Cruncius (I, 22) also classifies the Slavs as Slavonic.
Karl Vagriysky (III) writes that he found in Frankfurt (in Fra ~ cofor) a handwritten book by one author who wrote about Germany, which convincingly proves that the Buckle (li) Verli) were Slavs. Judging by the antiquity of the manuscript writes Karl Vagriysky, the author could be familiar with grandchildren and great-grandsons of Vertices. Albert Crantius in his book "History of Vandals" points to the numerous evidence in favor of the fact that Herula also were Slavs.
However, Helmold eliminates all doubts by placing among the Slavs living on the Venedic sea. According to the testimony Rhine, they lived along the river Haluelo. Some writers mistakenly call them Heruli, but their real name it was a Whorl, which in Slavic means a proud, cruel, arrogant people. The fact that these qualities historians attributed to the SKIRS, will be discussed in the appropriate place. Avars, Bastarny, Peckniny, and Finns (as Zachary Lily writes (Zacharia Lilio), Ireniko (II, 39), Abram Ortelius in Synonymic and Melanchthon in the comments to Tacitus) were also Slavs.
The author who described The life of the kings of France - Pepin, Charlemagne and Louis (di Pipino, Carlo Magno, & Lodouico), openly states that the Avars were of the same blood as the Slavs. This author, a Benedictine monk (Monaco Benedittino) (as Ortelius writes), who was in close friendship with Louis, can certainly be trusted, because in his time the Avars still existed.
The Slavs like the Bulgars, called their King Kagan or Kogan (Re` Cacano, o` Cogano). John Dubravius (I), counting as Slavs the Scythians and Gyros, writes that Sarmatia, which according Ptolemy borders on the east with the Meotian swamp and Tanais, on West with the Vistula (la Vistula), in the north with the Sarmatian Ocean, and in the south with the Carpathian Mountains (monti Carpathi), was a common homeland all peoples. They are now called Slavic, were called before Girs, Scythians, Serbs, and Wends (Hyrri, Scyrri, Syrbi, and Venedi). Karl Vagriysky (I) also argues that Scirs and Girs were Wends, i.e., Slavs.
Per common opinion of many writers, in the past, they lived in Dacia (la Dacia) and were called Dacians (Daci), albeit before the invasion of the Hunni (Hunni), as writes Bonfinius (Bo~finio) (I), they lived in these places together with the Romans (Romani). The memory of this and is now preserved in Dacia, because in Moldavia and Wallachia (Nella Moldauia, & Valachia) (which is an ancient Dacia) Slavonic language and writing are used in public and religious inscriptions. Moldovans (li Moldaui) in the dialect are close to Russ or Muscovites, the Wallachian (li Valachi) are more similar to Rassians (Rassiani). According to Jambulari, Cruzber and Ireniko (I), Swedes or Sveves (li Suedi, or` Sueui), which is one and the same, the Normans and Bulgars are Slavs. Jambulari (I) writes about them as follows: "From the vast borders of Scandinavia came repeatedly endless hordes and countless crowds of people: Alans, Slavs (to which belong the Bohemians and Poles), the Swedes who gave us Normans, and Bulgars ".
According to the testimony of Wolfgang Lacius, the Normans are descendants of Marcoman, with Sigibert, Einhard (Eginharto) and other writers of the time, and count among the Normans, among others, and Russ. This is written by Abram Ortelius in the history of Denmark (Dania), referring to Lacia.
On the Unkran (degli Vncrani) Einhard Monk mentions in life of Charlemagne, he classifies them as Slavs. Vidukind Monk, as can be seen from the "Synonyms" of Ortelius, one of the they call the Vukri (Vchri), the other Unkran. Finally, the Marcomans and the Quads, so famous in ancient history, came from the victorious tribe of the Slavs, as Cornelius Tacitus (Cornelio Tacito) and Albert Cruncius (in 14 chapters I of the book "Vandals") are called Vandals.
Moreover, Eremey Russian in his "Annals of Muscovy" writes, that Marcomans are real Slavs. In confirmation, he presents in his annals an inscription carved into stone that he found in the country of Marcoman when he accompanied the ambassador of Prince Muscovy to the emperor to Vienna:
STYN OUUY UKLOPYEN BYLIE JESTI MERA SGODE, KRUKOUUYE
NASS MARKOMAN. I BRETE SLAVNOV, LYTOU BOYA
NASGA ... MARKOMAN PROYDE. NI SLAUNOu ...
STyN ... POKOy ... LyTH v VIKA.
This is nothing more than Slavonic words, because the Slavs say, namely:
STINA OVVA VKLOPIENA BILIEG IEST MIRA SGODE KRVKOVYE,
NAS MARKOMAN I BRATIE SLAVNOVIEH, LITABOYA NASCEGA ...
MARKOMAN PROYDE, NI SLAVNI ... STINA ... POKOI ... LITH VVIKA.
In our language, this sounds like this stone was carved as a sign of peace concluded between us, the Marcomans, and brothers Slavs, the year of our war ... with the Marcoman will pass, not Slav ... stone ... piece ... forever.
Thus, we can confidently say that the Marcomans are Slavs because the unity of language in the past proves the unity of origin. After all, we attribute to one people all those who, from birth, with the mother's milk, have learned one or the other language.
In addition to the above authoritative evidence of learned men and famous writers, wwe showed that all the peoples listed above were Slavs, their unity and origin can also be proved by the personal names mentioned by different authors who described the history of Goths and other northern peoples.
These are the names: Vidimir (Vuidimir), Valamir (Valamir), Sigimir, Theodomir, Frigimir, Sveulad (Sueulado) (or, as others mistakenly write, Siswald (Sisvualdo)), Selimir, Gelmir, Radagast or Radagas (Radagast, o` Radagasio), Rahimir (Rachimir), Raimir (Raimir), Sancho (one, according to Doglione, rules in Spain (in Spagna) in 823, another in 1064).
There are also Sigismir, Vizumar, Vitiz (Vitise), Misislav or Mislav (Misislauo, o` Mislao), Otkar (Ottocar), Visislao (Visislao), Singiban (Si ~ gibano), Predemir and Obrad.
These names are actually Slavic. To the brilliance and glory of the Slavs should be added the circumstance that not only men but also women immortalized their names by military valor. I mean female Amazons by that. By the testimony of Cruzber (I) and Horopia (Gioanni Goropio) (VIII bc. "Amazons"), they were the wives of the Slavs of the Sarmatians.
Having completed this first acquaintance with different peoples, let us consider now their origin and deeds. Let's start with the Slavic Goths.
In the deepest antiquity, even before the glory and the very name of the Romans spread, the Goths, without external enemies, fought among themselves. Coming out of their ancestral home Scandinavia under King Bericho (il Re` Bericho), they first attacked the Ulmerhus (gli Vlmegugi), and after expelling them, they occupied all their country.
After this, under the leadership of King Philimir the Goths moved to Scythia (Scithia), called Owin (Ouin). About it reports Jordan. Having defeated the Spells (de gli Spalli) (as Ablauio writes), the Goths split. One part conquered Egypt (l'Egitto), as mentioned by Herodotus of Halicarnasso (Herodotto Halicarnaseo), another under Amal (Amalo) moved to the east. The others led by Valt (Vualtho) went west.
Those that went to the east, expelled Scythians, gave them other kings. Their king Vesos (Vesose), called by some Vesore, went to war with Betorich (a` Betorice), the king of Egypt, and won a victory, you can check by Jordan, Iustino, Trogo (I), Bonifatio Simoneta and others. He succeeded the queen of Tomir (Tomira Regine), who waged war with Xerxes, king of Persia (Serse Re` di Persia).
After that Macedonian king Philip (Filippo Re` de'Macedoni) married Gotile (co ~ Gothila), the daughter of the king of the Scythians. His son Alexander (Alessandro), having encountered their strength, made peace with them, as write Strabo (VII) and Arrian of Nicomedia (Arriano di Nicomedia) (IV), as well as Ottone Frisigese.
Quintus Curtius (Q.Curtio) refutes the opinion of the authors above. Darius (Dario), becoming the king of the Persians, took as his wife the daughter of the king of the Scythians Antiregira (Antriregiro). Until then, the Goths were called Scythians, as clearly show Dion, Scholastic Smirnsky, Agathia, Jordan (Dione, Scolastico Smirneo, Agathio, Giornardo) and others. But not because the Goths came from the Scythians, as think some Italian authors, but because, after expelling the Scythians, the Goths took possession of their kingdom.
That's why Tribelli Pollione (Trebellio Pollione) says that the Scythians are part of the Goths. Those Goths who went east, ravaged Greece, invaded Asia and came to the aid of the Trojans. With their kings, as Dion of Greece writes, were Euripil and Teleph (Euripilio, & Telefo), who killed Cassandra (Casandra) without weapons taken by Achilles (da Achille).
Later, in time of Augustus Caesar (d'Augusto Cesare), the king of the Goths Berobista, became famous. At that time, Elijah Catone (Elio Catone) brought 50,000 Goths for the Danube in Thrace. The king of the Goths ordered them to strengthen their bodies with exercises, be temperate and respectful, and introduced the laws, created a vast kingdom, conquered many neighboring nations and, boldly crossing Istr (l'Istro), devastated Thrace, Macedonia, and Illyricum (la Tracia, Macedonia, &, l'Illirico).
He inspired a strong fear to the Romans and returned with countless prey from the possessions of the Gauls (Galli), Thracians and Illyrians. In addition, he completely exterminated the BOIS (li Boij), subjects of Critasio, and Taurisks (li Taurisci). As writes Strabo in the VII book "Geography," Augustus was forced to send an army of 50,000 soldiers against him.
Approximately at the same time, the king of Goths Dromahyet (Dromachete), who won the Istra from the king Lysimachus (Re` Lysimaco) and took him prisoner. About it is written by Campano (il Campano) in the Ratispes speech, in Strabo (VII) and Plutarch (Plutarcho) in Apostegms and parallel biographies, where he writes that the cruel Dromahet, the king of the barbarians, taking Lysimachus captive, generously dismissed him. Paul Orosius (III) calls this Dromahata king of Thrace and describes his life, same as did Titus Livius, Eutropius, Eusebius and others.
However, Strabo and Jordan claim that he was a Goth. It seems to me more plausible, since those who called him Thracian prince wanted to show that the Goths have always controlled Thracia. Pliny (IV), Stephen the Byzantine and Ptolemy spoke of the area of Lysimachia in Thrace, after the described battle.
The Goths waged numerous wars with Macedonians and defeated broke the thirty thousand strong armies of Sopirion (Sopirione), the commander of Alexander the Great, and a little earlier defeated King Philip, as Justin (XXVII) writes, calling them Scythians. However, the Jordan and others refer these events to the Goths, who were known to the ancients under the name of the Scythians.
By the testimony of Strabo, Arrian, Ptolemy of Lago (Tolomeo di Lago) and Campano, Alexander the Great himself made peace with the Goths. Nevertheless, Justin writes that Alexander conquered the Goths. This testimony, however, is not supported by any of the historians who wrote about the Goths. Blond (I), speaking of the decline of the Roman Empire, says that the Goths were defeated by Lucullus. However, neither Methodius nor Jordan confirm this.
According to Agathios and Methodius, Goths prevented Agrippa from crossing Istrus. Later, at the time of Augustus, Goths ravaged the province, subordinate to the Roman Empire. Ovid the Nazon, who lived in the Goths at that time, points to this in 1 book.
Letters from Pont:
Many, many people do not care about your strength
Are not scared by your power, dazzling Rome.
The string and arrows in the quiver give me courage.
And also in a letter to the North:
I do not know the world, I live, I always wear a weapon:
Goths arrows and a bow are still threatening war.
Approximately at the same time, the Goths possessed many Roman cities and provinces. This is indicated by Ovid:
The town is old near the banks of the Istra river
The terrible wall protects its position.
Caspian Egis, to believe the stories, that city has built.
And, according to legend, he gave his offspring a name.
Goths fierce horde, destroying the unexpectedly Odris,
The city seized by attack against the Czar.
Bassian and Caracalla (Bassano, & Caracalla), we find in Flavius and Methodius, both suffered high losses in wars with goths. The third part fo Goths, remaining until that time in the boundaries of the Ulmer Islands (nell'Isola degli Vlmerugi), united with the rest of the Goths, took (wrote Methodius) Pannonia (la Pannonia).
At that time, their prince Sitalco heading a hundred-thousand army waged war against the Athenians (gli Ateniesi). Having experienced the might of the Romans during this war, he concluded peace with them. This continued until the time of Domitian (di Domitiano), who first opened the doors of the temple of Janus (Giano).
Then, says the Jordan, the Goths defeated the Roman troops under the leadership of Pompey Sabina Agrippa (Pompeo Sabina Agrippo), and the corpse of Pompey was beheaded. After that Goths
separated, one part occupied Moesia and Thrace. Their descendant on the maternal line was Emperor Maximin (Massimino) (as evidenced by the Simmacho Greco,
Julius Capitoline and Jordan), another started a war against the Roman Emperor Philip. Philip refused to pay the Goths a fixed tribute, infuriated them against himself and unleashed a war. The thirty thousand strong Roman army was defeated in a decisive battle, and Senator Decius, who headed it, fell together with his son.
After that the Goths occupied Moesia. In memory of these events in Moesia is a place called "Altar Decius". Mentions about this war can be found in Sabellikus, Blond, Jordan, Orosia, Gottfried and others.
However, Pomponio Leto, describing the events of those years in detail, says that the father and son of Decius accepted the death of one's own will, wishing to imitate the ancient Deceases and sacrifice themselves to the gods for a future victory.
Eusebius and Sabellicus (VII) indicate that both of Decius were killed in the war with Goths. At a time when the Roman Empire ruled by Gordian (Gordiano), the Goths devastated Asia, Ponto (Ponto), Macedonia and Greece, which is spoken of by Blond, Eusebius, Eutropius, and Sabellicus.
Treblely Pollio expounds these events differently and does not agree with Eusebius. He writes that at that time Macrinus (Macrino), the son the Emperor was killed. After Galliano (Gallieno) power in the empire passed to Postumo.
The Goths, having captured Thrace, devastated Macedonia and caused the damage to Thessaly. Having raided Asia writes Tribellius, they destroyed the temple of the goddess Diana in Ephesus (in Efeso). According to Tribellius, Sabellicus, and Blond, Byzantium suffered greatly. Goths secretly crossed on ships across the Great Sea, entered the estuary of Istra and, suddenly attacking local residents, killed many of them.
They were stopped only by the governors of Byzantium Cleocanu and Athenaeum (Cleocano, & Ateneo Presidenti di Bizantio), however the prefect of Venus was killed (Veneriano). The proud Goths, besieged Kizik (Cyzycena) and occupied Asia and all Greece.
The Greek writer Deuxippo (Deusippo) writes about this otherwise. According to him, the Goths passed through Epirus, Gemonia and Boethius (l'Epiro, Hemonia, & Boetia). According to the Jordan, the emperor Diocletian also waged war with the Gothic kings Günterich and Argaiich (Gunterico, & Arcaico).
These kings, after defeating Romans and having seized their camp, took the Mesian city of Marzianopolis (Martianopoli Citta`), about which they write Blond and Pomponiy Leto. Volusianus concluded a peace with the Gothic kings.
His heir Galeniano (Roman Catholic Republic) broke peace again. Goths under the command of three generals Wendicon, Turon and Varon (di tre capitani, Vendicone, Thurone, & Varone), devastating Asia, the Hellespont, Ephesus, Bithynia (Bitinia) and Calcedonia, destroyed Anchialo Citta, the city on Mount Hemo (del monte Hemo), as mentioned by Sabellicus, Blond and other authors.
According to the testimony of Pomponia Leto, this time all the Goths were conspiring against the Roman Empire. This confirm Calpurnio Sur (Calfurnio Sura), Junius Cord (Giunio Cordo), Dexip, Arrian and others. Tribellite Pollion in the description of Acts Marcian reports that the Goths devastated Achaia (l'Acaia), Thrace, Macedonia and Thessaly, killed practically all the population of Byzantium, so there is not a single one left in it representative of ancient lineages, except for those who by a happy accident was absent at this time.
Seeing this, Maximian preferred peace to war and the first of the Roman emperors began to pay tribute to Goths. Jordan writes that at this time that Giberich, the king of Goths, conquered the Scythians, Tweeds, Bubengoths (Bubengeti), Vizmabronts (Vasmabronti) and Kadie (Cadi).
It is evident from the letters of Emperor Claudius to the Senate from Tribellius Pollio and Pomponia Leto that in his time three hundred and twenty thousands were killed in the battles and two thousand ships were sunk.
From a letter to Yunia Boku, prefect of Illyricum, it is clear that Claudius fought the Goths in Thessaly, Dacia, and Moesia in the vicinity of Marcianopole and
Byzantium that the Goths put the island of Candia and Cyprus betrayed the fire and the sword, but in the end, were defeated by Claudius . By decision of the Senate for such a glorious victory in honor of Claudius a golden shield was hung out, and before the temple on the Capitol a golden statue erected. Such honor and reward deserved the one who could defeat the Slavs.
For the victories won, Aurelian was nicknamed the Returner of Gaul and the Liberator of Illyricum. However, none of those who read the Jordan will doubt that it is a lie. Obviously, Flavius, flattering Aurelian, wanted to multiply his glory, indicating only the number of the dead of Goths.
In this case, Vopisk himself begins his narrative recognizing this sin of historians who try to exalt the emperors by pointing out the many enemies they defeated. According to Sabellikus and Blond, the Goths were also defeated by the emperor Constantine, the Jordan openly denies this.
Nevertheless, with complete certainty, it can be argued that after the conclusion peace with Rome, the Goths did not show up for almost sixty years up to the time of Valent (di Valente). The latter, denying them friendship and disposition, provided them with a residence in Thrace, allowing them to carry weapons.
After this, the Goths split into Visigoths and Ostrogoths, that is, on the upper and lower ones, since for Slavs who have the same language as the Goths, visi means high, or upper, and ostoch or istoch means the east.
Those who were closer to East, began to be called Ostrogoths, West ─ Visigoths. Ablavy says that they were called that way at home. However, Paul Deacon (Paolo Diacono), Abbot of Ursparg (l'Abbate Vrspargese) and Albert Cruncias say that those who after the discord between the Goths followed Fridigerno (Fridigerno), called Visigoths, and those who joined Atalaricu (Atalanio, Atalarico) is a joke.
Friedigern turned to Emperor Valentus with a request to help him in the struggle against Atalarih and, according to Socrates (VIII, 14), defeated his rival. Valent broke them in Thrace, so the Goths at the insistence of Valente took Arianism. At that time, according to the testimony of Bishop Theodoric, the Arian Heresy among the Goths was preached by Ulfila (Vualfila), a Gothic priest.
Here, the opinions of writers differ significantly. Sabellicus (IX, 7) writes that the Goths, being expelled by the Huns, turned to Valente with a request to provide them with a residence for Thrace. This is confirmed by and Orosius.
However, the Abbot of Ursparga and Jordan argue that the Goths requested Moesia and Dacia, but Valente gave them Thrace, where they settled. This is also confirmed by the historian Socrates.
Nevertheless, Methodius writes that the Goths conquered Thrace and Emperor, fearing that in the future the Goths would be able to attack The Roman Empire, against their request, offered them Thrace andgave two of his commanders, Lupitsin and Maxim, so that they could win other, better countries.
There is no accord between historians about the cause of the disagreement between Emperor Valent and Visigoths. Pavel Deacon, Abbot Urspargus and Sabellicus argue that this was due to the imprudence of Maxim and Lupitsian (the Jordan calls him Lupitsy), whose tyrannical rule has repeatedly led to hunger.
Other historians say that Lupitsian was building a plot against Friedigern, the king of the Visigoths, and tried to poison him. In the opinion of the third, Visigoths, urged by necessity, rebelled against Valent and led by Friedigern defeated the Roman army. Emperor Valent himself was wounded with an arrow and, feeling that the forces leave him, was taken out of the battlefield and left in some sort of hut, which the enemies burned, not knowing, that there is an emperor.
Bishop Theodoric writes that the first defeat of the Visigoth was inflicted to Valent on the Bosporus and, as writes Socrates (VIII, 33), in May they reached Constantinople and, pushing the Romans to Adrianople, and in a bloody battle defeated and burnt the Emperor.
This happened in 382 from the birth of Christ, in 1033 from the founding of Rome and in the fourth year of Valent's rule. However, Theodoric claims that Valent died on August 9. As Sozomen notes,
God punished Valente because of him the Goths, who could to bring many benefits to the Holy Mother Church, became Arians.
He is also writing, that one Catholic predicted Valent death from the Visigoths in the event of the breach of the peace with them. After Valent's death, the Goths besieged Constantinople. According to Sabellikus, Blond, and other historians, at this time Domenica, widow of Valente, in every possible way showed this proud people their generosity, sending in abundance every reasonable provision.
Nevertheless, Socrates argues that the Visigoths besieged Constantinople even during the life of Valent. About other campaigns in those times, that the Goths performed in Moesia and Thrace, is written in detail by Platinum (Platino) from Siricius, Hierolomus by Eusebius, and also by Prosper, however, their stories are contradictory.
The most reliable should be considered the testament of Hierolam who lived in the time he described. After Valent, the imperial power passed to Valentinian, who shared with Theodosius obligations to protect the borders of Roman possessions.
At this time, the thunderous glory of the exploits of the king of Goths Atalaric, who, having concluded peace with the Greeks, arrived in Constantinople. And it was not only excellent but vital. If at that time the Goths attacked the Romans, the Empire was lost. Atalarich, expressing his admiration of the emperor and the reception given to him, said that the Emperor was beyond any doubt was the personification of God on Earth, who will expose to the immediate punishment those who intend to weave intrigues against him.
After the death of Atalarich, Theodosius offered him royal honors, which caused a deep appreciation already. After the death of Atalarich Goths did not choose a new King for 25 years , recognizing the authority of the Roman emperor who paid them tribute.
Finally, leaving Thrace, the king of Alaric was appointed from the Balts family. Alaric entered into an alliance with King Radagas, who , according to Claudian, Orosia and Blond, was rhe worst man on earth. Ablawy writes that he appeared unexpectedly with army of two hundred thousand.
After thrushing the army of Alaric, Radagaz (Radagaso) put to the fire and sword Thrace, Pannonia, Illyricum and Norik (Norico). Because of his success, Radagas was very proud and in the event of a victory, he vowed to his gods to devote them all Italian blood, threatening to exterminate the very name of the Romans and make Italy to Gothia.
Like all the emperors after Augustus and Caesar were called Augustus and Caesars, he wanted all the emperors called themselves the Radagas. But God could not stand such arrogance and put him in the hands of Christians.
Defeated near the Fiesole Mountains, Radagaz was killed. Alaric captured Spain and ruled it for thirteen years, after which he returned to Italy. About what he did in Italy, you can read Blond, Sabellikus, and Otto of Freising (IV), who described the deeds ready.
The Goths fought for a long time with the kings of France, but, being expelled from France, again returned to Spain.
In the time of Marcellus under the rule of Merobia, or Maravia, Goths invaded France and occupied many cities. Marcellus sent against them his commander Luiprand. In the same time French King Abdiram waged war with the Goths, which can be read from Gaguin (Gaguino) (III). All this happened before Attila invaded Italy, since after the invasion Goths and the French reigned peace, as write Procopius and Ablavi.
So far we have given a brief overview of the history of the Visigoths, now let us turn to Ostrogoths.
Ostrogoths bravely defended themselves during the invasion of the Huns, and when fortune turned from the sons of Attila, expelled them from Pannonia and Moesia, and also ravaged Illyricum.
Ostrogoths obtained from Emperor Leo the concessions of won by them land, leaving as hostage Theoderich, the future king of Italy. Meanwhile, in Rome in a short time changed several Emperors: Rahimer, Basilisk, Anteny, Zeno, Mark, Leo, Olympus, Glycerium, Orestes and his son Augustulo. About how it happened, is written in detail by Blond, Sabellicus (II), Pomponia Leto and John the Monk.
I omit these events, because I'm only interested in the Slavs. When the Roman Empire was led by Augustus, the king of the Slavs Ottokar took possession of Italy, ruining Treviso, Vicenza, Brescia (Treuiza, Vicenza, & Brescia) and capturing Pavia (Pauia). According to the testimony by Sabellicus, at that time more Roman blood was shed than ever after the Roman Empire began to lean towards decline. Other of his acts are described by Otto of Freising (IV, 31).
Orestes and Augustus died a miserable death, due to their unjustified ambition. That way, in two years, Rome lost 12 emperors, most of whom died a violent death. The main breachers of calm were precisely the Slavs.
The first foreigners to take possession of the country after the fall of the Roman Empire were Italy's Slavs. It was the Slavs who put an end to the Empire in Italy. If Cyrus (Ciro) is famous for conquering the Chaldeans (li Caldei), Alexander The Great is because he subdued Persia (de'Persi), the Romans famous for the destruction of the monarchy in Greece, the Slavs deserve more glory and honor for putting an end to the Roman pride.
As repeatedly noted by Lazius the history of the migration of peoples, as well as Wolfgang and Albert Cruncius in his "Vandalia", Ottokar, whom some also call Odoakr was a Rug Slav.
He was a man of high stature and ruled Italy for fifteen years. Rome was so frightened by his cruelty that all the population of the city came out to greet him and greeted him as king of Romans, having rendered the Slav to more honor than any mortal deserved. Honors were given to Ottokar, and vastness of his empire caused envy of the Ostrogoths and Emperor Zeno (Zenone Imperatore), incited Theoderic (Teoderico), the sharp-witted king, to rebel against him.
The Alemans invaded Italy and after three battles on the river Po (al Po`), Theoderich managed to gain victory. Ottokar fled to Ravenna (Rauenna), was besieged and in the beginning of the third year of the siege, having concluded worthy conditions surrendered. However, due to the betrayal of Theoderich was, after all, murdered.
Theodericus, as Procopius Greco writes, built many buildings in Italy and prevented its ruin. To more confidently keep Italy in his power, he introduced many administrative innovations. After the thirty-seven-year rule Theoderic died, and with his death, Italy lost calm. After all, during his reign, all the efforts of the authorities were aimed at maintaining peace and embellishment of the country.
Those who want to know about this in detail, read the most accurate testimonies given in Cassiodorus's letters, from which is clear that both for Rome and for Italy, the government this good king can be placed on a par with the rule of Octavian Augustus (Ottaviano Augusto), Trajan (Traiano) and Adriana (Adriano).
