Riothamus
- Born:
- Date and Place of Birth Unknown (Presumed 5th Century AD)
- Died:
- Date and Place of Death Unknown
- Nationality:
- Brittonic (Possible)
- Profession(s):
- Possible War Leader, King (Speculative)
Early Life and Education
- Information regarding Riothamus's early life and education is nonexistent in verifiable historical sources.
- Any details are purely speculative and based on interpretations of later legends and accounts.
Career and Major Achievements
- Riothamus is theorized by some historians to be a possible historical basis for the Arthurian legend. This relies on interpretation of Gildas and Geoffrey of Monmouth.
- The name "Riothamus," meaning "High King," suggests a position of authority, potentially leading a coalition of Brittonic tribes.
- Jordanes refers to a "Riothamus, king of the Britons," who brought 12,000 men to Gaul to aid the Roman Emperor Anthemius against the Visigoths around 470 AD. This event is a primary source of scholarly interest.
- This 'Riothamus' is reported to have been defeated and lost a significant portion of his army.
Notable Works
Due to the historical uncertainty surrounding Riothamus, there are no "works" in the traditional sense to attribute. The primary 'work' related to his name is the corpus of Riothamus biography books and academic papers analyzing his potential existence and historical significance.
Legacy and Impact
- Riothamus's primary legacy stems from his possible link to the Arthurian legend.
- His brief appearance in Jordanes's "Getica" serves as a crucial point of historical investigation.
- He represents a potential example of post-Roman British resistance and military involvement in Gaul.
- The ambiguity surrounding his life and actions has spurred centuries of historical debate and interpretation, particularly concerning the origins of Arthurian lore.
Analysis of Mentions and Interpretations
| Source | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jordanes, Getica | 6th Century AD | Mentions a "Riothamus, king of the Britons" assisting the Roman Emperor in Gaul. |
| Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Regum Britanniae | 12th Century AD | Although Arthur is the primary figure, some scholars suggest elements within Geoffrey's account may be linked to the historical Riothamus. |
| Modern Historical and Literary Analyses | 20th-21st Centuries | Numerous academic and popular works explore the possible connection between Riothamus and Arthur, and numerous Riothamus biography books examine these perspectives. |
Ultimately, Riothamus remains a figure shrouded in mystery. While definitive proof of his connection to Arthur remains elusive, the historical possibility continues to fascinate scholars and fuel ongoing research.