Syagrius facts for kids
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Syagrius (born around 430 AD) was a Roman general. He was the last ruler of a small Roman area in northern Gaul (which is now France). This area is often called the Kingdom of Soissons. Some old writings even called him the "King of the Romans."
Syagrius's rule ended when he was defeated by Clovis I, who was the king of the Franks. This defeat is seen as the end of Roman rule outside of Italy. Syagrius took over his position from his father, Aegidius. His father was the last Roman military commander in Gaul. Syagrius kept control of the land between the Somme and Loire rivers, around the city of Soissons. He ruled this area from 464 AD until 486 AD.
Historians have debated whether Syagrius was truly called "King of the Romans." Some believe Romans would not have liked this title, as they had gotten rid of kings long ago. However, others think it might have meant he was trying to act like a Roman emperor.
End of Roman Rule in Gaul
Even though Syagrius's territory was cut off from the rest of the Roman Empire, he managed to keep some Roman power in northern Gaul for 20 years. His small state even lasted longer than the Western Roman Empire itself, which officially ended in 476 AD.
Syagrius was able to keep the nearby Salian Franks from taking over his land. The Franks were divided among themselves, with kings like Childeric I. Childeric had even helped the Gallo-Romans (people of Roman and Gallic heritage) fight against Saxons who had taken over Angers.
When Childeric died in 481 AD, his son Clovis became king. Unlike his father, Clovis decided to attack the last Roman stronghold in the west. He gathered an army and challenged Syagrius. We don't know many details about the fight, called the Battle of Soissons. But Syagrius was badly defeated and ran away. His land then became part of the Frankish kingdom.
Syagrius fled to Toulouse, the capital of Alaric II, who was king of the Visigoths. But the Visigoths were afraid of the powerful Franks. So, they captured Syagrius and gave him to Clovis. Syagrius died soon after, secretly stabbed, according to old stories.
Syagrius's Family
Even after Syagrius was killed, his family seemed to do well under Frankish rule. For example, a man named Syagrius, who was likely a family member, was sent on a diplomatic trip to the Byzantine Empire in 585 AD. Later, in 739 AD, a woman named Syagria gave a lot of land to monks. The last known person from this family was an abbot (a leader of monks) who was mentioned in 757 AD.
See also
- Last of the Romans
- Neustria
