History of the Lombards
The History of the Lombards or the History of the Langobards (Latin: Historia Langobardorum) is the chief work by Paul the Deacon, written in the late 8th century. This incomplete history in six books was written after 787 and at any rate no later than 796, maybe at Montecassino.
| History of the Lombards | |
|---|---|
| Historia Langobardorum Historia gentis Langobardorum | |
Salzburg manuscript | |
| Author(s) | Paul the Deacon |
| Language | Latin |
| Date | 787–796 |
| Provenance | Monte Cassino |
| Manuscript(s) | 115 extant manuscripts |
| Principal manuscript(s) | Codex Sangallensis 635 |
| First printed edition | 1514 |
| Genre | Ethnic history |
| Subject | History of the Lombard people |
The history covers the story of the Lombards from their mythical origins to the death of King Liutprand in 743, and contains much information about the Eastern Roman empire, the Franks, and others. The story is told from the point of view of a Lombard patriot and is especially valuable for its treatment of the relations between the Franks and the Lombards. As his primary sources, Paul used the document called the Origo gentis Langobardorum, the Liber pontificalis, the lost history of Secundus of Trent, and the lost annals of Benevento; he also made free use of works by Bede, Gregory of Tours, and Isidore of Seville.