Athanagild facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Athanagild
King of Hispania and Septimania
Illustration of 1624 of Athanagild at Biblioteca Nacional de España, Madrid
King of the Visigoths
Reign	554-567
Predecessor	Agila I
Successor	Liuva I and Liuvigild
Born	c. 517
Died	December 567
Consort	Goiswintha
Issue	Brunhilda of Austrasia Galswintha, Queen of Neustria

Athanagild (around 517 – December 567) was a Visigothic King. He ruled over Hispania (modern-day Spain and Portugal) and Septimania (a region in southern France).

Athanagild became king after a rebellion. He fought against the previous king, Agila I, starting in 551. Their armies clashed near Seville. Agila was defeated again and died in 554. After Agila's death, Athanagild became the only ruler. He reigned for the rest of his life.

What happened during the Roman invasion?

During the conflict between Athanagild and Agila, the Roman Empire got involved. Emperor Justinian sent a Roman army to Hispania. This army took control of a large part of southern Spain, known as Hispania Baetica.

It's not fully clear why the Romans came. Some historians say Agila asked them for help. Others believe Athanagild asked for their support. Once the Romans arrived, they stayed. Athanagild tried to make them leave, but he couldn't.

The Romans kept most of the land they conquered. They organized it into a new province called Spania. This Roman province included important cities like New Carthage, Málaga, and Medina Sidonia.

Athanagild managed to get back a few cities. However, the Romans held onto most of their new territory for a long time.

How did Athanagild's rule end?

Athanagild died in Toledo. He passed away from natural causes in December 567. After his death, there was a period of five months without a king. Then, Liuva I became the next ruler of the Visigoths.

How did Athanagild's daughters marry?

Athanagild had two daughters with his queen, Goiswintha. Their names were Brunhilda and Galswintha. These daughters married two powerful Frankish kings. The Franks were another Germanic people who lived in what is now France.

Brunhilda married Sigebert I, the King of Austrasia. Her sister, Galswintha, married Chilperic, the King of Neustria. These marriages were very important. They created strong family ties between the Visigoths and the Franks.

Historians believe Athanagild had a special reason for these marriages. He had no sons to inherit his throne. By marrying his daughters to Frankish kings, he might have hoped to involve the Franks in the Visigothic succession. Perhaps he wanted his grandsons to become future kings.

However, Athanagild's death in 567 changed everything. Galswintha died tragically soon after her father. Brunhilda, her sister, survived and became a very important figure in Frankish history. Athanagild's queen, Goiswintha, also survived. She later married Liuvigild, who became a powerful Visigothic king himself.

See also

In Spanish: Atanagildo para niños