Kingdom of the Suebi

The Kingdom of the Suebi, also known as the Kingdom of Galicia or Suebi Kingdom of Galicia, was an early Germanic kingdom. It broke away from the Roman Empire. The Suebi people founded it around the year 409. It was centered in the areas that were once the Roman provinces of Gallaecia and northern Lusitania.

During the sixth century, this kingdom became officially recognized as the Kingdom of Galicia.

This kingdom was important because it was one of the first new kingdoms to emerge after the fall of the Roman Empire in Western Europe. For many years, it stayed independent, creating its own laws and traditions. In the year 585, the kingdom was taken over by the Visigoths. After that, it became part of their larger kingdom in Hispania.

History

The Suebi were one of the first groups to leave the Roman Empire. They crossed the Rhine River in the year 405 and moved in. They settled in a place called Gallaecia, which is now part of northern Portugal and Spain.

For many years, the Suebi lived on their own in their own small kingdom. They had their own kings and made their own rules. But in the year 585, the Visigoths, another group of people, took over the Suebi Kingdom. After that, the area became part of the Visigothic Kingdom.

The Suebi had their own language and customs. Over time, they changed from their old beliefs to becoming Catholic Christians, which was the main religion of the Roman Empire. Even after the Visigoths took over, some parts of the old Suebi Kingdom kept their special ways for a while.

Architecture and art

The Suebi kingdom, which came after the Roman Empire, left us very little art or buildings to see today. We know less about what the Suebi made than other groups like the Visigoths in Hispania, the Franks in Gaul, or the Lombards in Italy.

Some places that may have been built by the Suebi still exist, but many have changed so much that it is hard to know. These include old church sites and ruins, such as the ones in Braga and Porto. In 2017 to 2018, a special show in Ourense displayed old objects linked to the Suebi, including copies of coins, jewelry, and everyday items.

List of Galician Suebic monarchs

See also: List of Galician monarchs § Kings of the Suebi (409–585)

• Hermeric, c. 409–438
• Heremigarius, 427–429, leader in Lusitania
• Rechila, 438–448
• Rechiar, 448–456
• Aioulf, 456–457, foreigner, possibly appointee of the Visigoths
• Maldras, 456–460, in opposition to Framta after 457
• Framta, 457, in opposition to Maldras
• Richimund, 457–464, successor of Framta
• Frumar, 460–464, successor of Maldras
• Remismund, 464–469, succeeded Frumar, reunited the Suebi
• Period of obscurity
  • Hermeneric fl. c. 485
  • Veremund fl. 535
  • Theodemund fl. 6th century
• Chararic, after c.550–558/559, existence sometimes doubted
• Ariamir, 558/559–561/566
• Theodemar, 561/566–570
• Miro, 570–583
• Eboric, 583–584
• Audeca, 584–585
• Malaric, 585, opposed Liuvigild

Sources and controversies

We know little about the Suebi people, especially in English books. One key source is a book written by Bishop Hydatius around 470. Hydatius lived in what is now Galicia and Portugal. He saw the Suebi settle in the Iberian Peninsula and wrote about their history.

Another important book is the Seven Books of History Against the Pagans by Orosius. He told of the Suebi and Vandals coming to Hispania and then living peacefully. Other writers, like Gregory of Tours and Jordanes, also wrote about the Suebi. Later writers, such as Martin of Braga and John of Biclaro, wrote about the Suebi in the sixth century. Isidore of Seville also wrote about them, sometimes changing facts from earlier books.

Linguistic and toponymic legacy

The Suebi spoke a Germanic language, but they soon started using the local Latin language. Because of this, only a few words from their original language are left in modern Galician and Portuguese languages. Some words about nature and farming may have come from the Suebi or from other Germanic groups. These include words for birds, plants, and tools.

Many place names in northern Portugal and Galicia have roots in old Germanic names. For example, places like Sandiás, Mondariz, and Gondomar come from names used by the Suebi and other Germanic people. Even today, some towns in Galicia are named after the Suebi, showing how their presence still affects the area.