Francesco BOTTI (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna)
L’IMMAGINE DEI VISIGOTI NELLA CRONACA DI IDAZIO
Keywords: Hydatius, Visigoths, Theodoric II, Sueves, Isidore of Seville, Jordanes, Sidonius Apollinaris.
Abstract: The description of the Visigoths in the Chronicle of Hydatius. The aim of this research is to analyse the unflattering image Hydatius gives us of the Visigoths, focusing on two passages from the Chronicle that describe the abuses committed by Theodoric II’s troops during the Spanish campaign of 456-457 (Hyd., 174 and 186). By comparing these episodes with similar ones within the Chronicle and by drawing a parallel with Hydatius’ treatment of the Sueves, this investigation seeks to demonstrate how the bishop deliberately emphasised certain aspects of the Visigoths’ behaviour, particularly towards the churches and the Catholic clergy, in order to justify his wholly negative judgement of them. The study will finally attempt to understand the political, religious and personal reasons that prompted him to construct such a narrative, which is absent in the other sources describing the same events (Jordanes and Isidore).