(Redirected from Chlodio)
'Chlodio'
[1] was a king of the
Salian Franks from the
Merovingian dynasty. He was known as a Long-Haired King and lived at an unidentified place called Dispargum. From there he invaded the Roman Empire in
428 and settled in Northern
Gaul, where already other groups of Salians were settled. Although he was attacked by Romans he was able to maintain his position and 3 years later in
431 he extended his kingdom down south to the
Somme River. In
448, 20 years after his reign began Chlodio was defeated at an unidentified place called Vicus Helena by
Flavius Aëtius, the commander of the
Roman Army in Gaul.
Like all Merovingian kings Chlodio had long hair as a ritual custom. His successor may have been
Merovech, after whom the dynasty was named 'Merovingian'. One legend has it that his father was
Pharamond. The sources on Chlodio's history are
Gregory of Tours and
Sidonius Apollinaris.
Sources
★
Gregory of Tours, Historiën.
★
Sidonius Apollinaris, Loeb Classical Edition.
Note
1. Variations in the spelling in the name of "Chlodio" include Cloio, Clodio, Clodius, Chlogio. This is normal for barbarian names in Roman texts.