Goar facts for kids

Goar (born before 390, died between 446 and 450) was an important leader of the Alans, a group of people who lived in Europe, during the 5th century. Around the year 405 or 406, when other groups like the Vandals and some Alans led by Respendial were moving across the Rhine River, Goar's group of Alans quickly decided to join forces with the powerful Roman Empire. After this, they played a big part in the politics of Gaul, which is now mostly France.

Goar's Story

Joining the Roman Empire

Goar is first mentioned in old writings around the time of a big war between the Vandals and the Franks. This war happened just before a major event called the Crossing of the Rhine on December 31, 406. The Franks, who were allies of the Romans, were fighting hard against the Vandals. They caused a lot of damage and even killed the Vandal king, Godigisel.

At this point, another Alan king named Respendial came to help the Vandals. He defeated the Franks, even though Goar had already decided to join the Romans. It's not completely clear if Goar's Alans fought against the Vandals and Respendial's Alans. However, we know that Goar's Alans were later settled by the Romans in Gaul, near a city called Orléans. The Vandals, Suevi, and Respendial's Alans continued their journey into Spain.

Helping Jovinus Become Emperor

Goar appears again in the year 411. At this time, he and Gundahar, the king of the Burgundians, helped a Roman senator named Jovinus become the new Roman Emperor in Mainz. This happened while another emperor, Constantine III, was being attacked by the Roman general Constantius III (who would later become emperor himself).

Many of Constantine's supporters in northern Gaul switched their loyalty to Jovinus. This helped lead to Constantine's defeat. Jovinus then threatened Constantius with a large army, which included Burgundians, Alamanni, Franks, and Alans (likely Goar's group). However, Jovinus's rule lasted only two years. The Visigoths, led by King Athaulf, entered Gaul after they had attacked Rome the year before. Athaulf decided to side with the official Roman government and defeated Jovinus. What Goar and the Burgundians did after this defeat is not recorded.

The Siege of Bazas

After defeating Jovinus, the Visigoths had more conflicts with the Roman Empire. This led to the siege of Bazas in 414. A person named Paulinus of Pella, who was inside the city during the attack, wrote about it. He said that the Visigoths were supported by a group of Alans, whose king he knew but did not name.

Paulinus had become friends with this Alan king. He convinced the Alan leader to stop helping the Visigoths and instead join the Roman defenders of Bazas. The Alan king agreed and gave his wife and son to the Romans as hostages. After this, the Visigoths left Bazas and went back to Spain. The Alans who had helped the Romans were then settled as allies of the Roman Empire.

Historians are not sure if this unnamed Alan king was Goar, or another Alan leader. If it was Goar, it would mean he had joined forces with the Visigoths after they defeated Jovinus. If it was a different Alan leader, it would mean there were two separate groups of Alans in Gaul at this time.

Meeting Bishop Germanus

In a book about Saint Germanus of Auxerre, it describes a meeting between Germanus and an Alan king around the year 446. This king had been ordered by the Roman general Aetius to stop a rebellion in a region called Armorica. However, Germanus convinced the king to wait for official orders from the emperor in Italy before attacking.

The book names this king as "Eochar." Many historians believe this is a mistake and that the name should be "Gochar," which is another way Goar's name appears in some old texts. However, some historians disagree. They point out that if "Eochar" was Goar, it would mean Goar was a leader for more than 40 years, which is a very long time.

Other records show that another Alan leader named Sambida was given land near Valentia in 440, a few years before Germanus met the Alans. If there was only one Alan kingdom in Gaul, this would mean Goar was replaced by Sambida before 440, and then Sambida was replaced by Eochar. If there were two Alan kingdoms, then Eochar could be Goar, or a different leader.

In 442, the Roman general Aetius gave more land to the Alans. The Romans living on this land did not want to leave and had to be forced out. The records don't say who the Alan leader was or where the land was located, but many historians think this event also involved Goar.

No matter the exact details, Goar's Alans are generally believed to be the Alans of Orléans. This group helped fight off Attila's invasion in 451. At that time, their leader was Sangiban. This suggests that Goar's rule ended sometime between 446 and 450, if he was indeed the "Eochar" mentioned.

See also

In Spanish: Goar para niños