Origo Gentis Langobardorum
Origo Gentis Langobardorum is a short 7th‑century Latin text that tells how the Lombards began and then lists their early rulers up to Perctarit (672–688). It exists in three medieval copies and is an important source for the Lombard name Godan. The story is summarized in Paulus Diaconus’s Historia Langobardorum. The Origo itself is a compact origin myth followed by a king‑list, and there are no dates in the text; later writers add a chronology.
A simplified retelling
- The Winnili live on an island called Scandanan. Their leaders are Ybor and Agio, and their mother Gambara is a wise woman. The Vandals Ambri and Assi demand tribute, but the Winnili refuse. They ask Godan for help. Frea, Godan’s wife, advises a clever trick: the Winnili women tie their hair in front of their faces like beards and join the men in battle. At sunrise Godan sees the long beards and grants victory. From then on the Winnili are called Langobardi, the “long‑beards.”
- The Lombards move to new lands: Golaida (near the Oder), then areas like Aldonus, Anthaib (likely Bavaria), Bainaib (Bohemia), Burgundaib (along the Middle Rhine), and others. They elect Agilmund as their first king, from the Gugingus line, and later Laiamicho and then Lethuc (who rules about 40 years). After Lethuc come Aldihoc and Godehoc.
- Ado from Ravenna with the Alans comes to Rugilanda (Lower Austria). The Lombards leave their homeland and live in Rugilanda for several years. Gudehoc is followed by Claffo, then Tato. The Lombards stay at Feld for three years; Tato defeats Rodolfo, king of the Heruli. Wacho, son of Unichus, kills Tato; Ildichus, Tato’s son, fights Wacho but flees to the Gepids and dies there.
- Wacho has three wives. With the first, Raicunda, and with the second, Austrigusa, he has children who marry into other royal families (Wisigarda marries Theudipert, king of the Franks; Walderada marries Suscald, another Frankish king). The third wife, Silinga, bears Waltari, who rules for seven years.
- Farigaidus is the last of Lethuc’s line. After Waltari, Auduin leads the Lombards to Pannonia. Albuin, son of Auduin and Rodelenda, rules next. Albuin defeats Cunimund, king of the Gippidi, and marries Cunimund’s daughter Rosemunda. After Rosemunda dies, Flutsuinda, daughter of Flothario (king of the Franks), bears Albsuinda.
- After 42 years in Pannonia, Albuin leads the Lombards into Italy in April and, two years later, becomes lord of Italy. He rules for three years before being killed in Verona by Hilmichis and his wife Rosemunda. Rosemunda and the Lombard prefect Longinus seize Ravenna; Hilmichis and Rosemunda escape with Albsuinda and the treasure. Longinus is entangled in schemes to marry Rosemunda, poisons him, and dies with her. The Lombard treasure and Albsuinda are taken to the Emperor in Constantinople.
- After Albuin come Cleph (two years), then a twelve‑year interregnum with dukes ruling. Autarinus, son of Claffo, is king for seven years. He marries Theudelenda (daughter of Garipald) and Walderade of Bavaria. Theudelenda’s brother Gundoald becomes duke of Asti. Acquo, called from the Turingi, marries Theudelenda and becomes king, killing several enemies. He has a daughter, Gunperga, and rules six years.
- Aroal then rules for twelve years, followed by Rothari, Aripert, Grimoald, and finally Berthari. The Origo ends here; no dates are given in the text, though later sources provide a chronology.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:50 (CET).