Leovigild
Leovigild
(lēŏv`ĭgĭld', lēō`–), d. 586, Visigothic king of Spain (568–86), brother and successor of AthanagildAthanagild, d. 567, Visigothic king of Spain (554–67). Having deposed his predecessor, Agila, with the aid of an army sent by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, he ceded a large portion of S Spain to the Byzantines and was unable to prevent them from further extending their
..... Click the link for more information. . He was joint ruler to 573 with his brother Liuva. He reorganized the administration and assumed a royal pomp that imitated that of the Byzantine court. Leovigild was constantly at war with the Byzantines in S Spain and the Suevi in the north. When these enemies supported the revolt of his son Hermenegild, who had converted from Arianism to Catholicism, he finally annexed (584–85) the kingdom of the Suevi. Hermenegild was put to death. At the end of Leovigild's reign the only non-Visigothic parts of Spain were two small territories of the Byzantine Empire. Leovigild made important additions to the Visigothic laws (see Germanic lawsGermanic laws,
customary law codes of the Germans before their contact with the Romans. They are unknown to us except through casual references of ancient authors and inferences from the codes compiled after the tribes had invaded the Roman Empire.
..... Click the link for more information. ). His son RecaredRecared
(Recared I) , d. 601, Visigothic king in Spain (586–601), son and successor of Leovigild. Although before his accession he had greatly distinguished himself in warfare with the Franks, he did not pursue his father's policy of conquest.
..... Click the link for more information. succeeded him.