Introduction and Early Beginnings
Most scholars believe that the Germanic tribe known as the Lombards or Longobards [Longbeards] appeared in the Po River Valley in 568. This tribe is believed to have formed in northeastern Germany near the River Elbe, and then migrated to present-day Austria and Hungary at the beginning of the sixth century before entering the Italian borders. During that time period, they fought against both the Gepids and Avars; battle was a constant way of resisting subjugation for the Lombards. They settled in this land known as Pannonia [Hungary] and remained there until their next migration towards the Po Valley. In Pannonia, the Lombards established amicable relations with the Byzantines due to the guidance and leadership of the Lombard’s King Wacho [c. 510-540].

Italy in the 6th and 7th Centuries
Many political factions were lining up to acquire territory in Italy during the late sixth and early seventh centuries. The Lombards were one of several Germanic groups attempting to gain power. Another, perhaps the most famous were the feared and respected, Ostrogoths. The Byzantine Empire had four political centers on the Italian mainland at this time as well – most notably, Ravenna. The remnants of Rome lead by the Catholic Popes also attempted to gain more Italian soil as did the Franks. I will touch upon this later, but first I will speak about the end of the Ostrogoths. As stated prior, the Byzantines and Lombards had friendly relations and under the rule of Wacho’s successor, Audoin, the Lombards agreed upon an alliance with Byzantium. The Lombards became federates [foederati] of the Byzantine Empire. At this time, the Byzantine Empire was ruled over by Emperor Justinian. The alliance will lead to the Lombards involvement with the Byzantines in the war against the Ostrogoths. This war ended at the Battle of Taginae.

The Battle of Taginae
The decisive Battle of Taginae brought to an end the back-and-forth struggle between the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines. In the spring of 522, the Byzantine general Narses and his force of Byzantine, Lombard, and Heruli soldiers met the Ostrogoths and their king, Totila at Taginae [modern day Gualdo Tadino]. Not only was King Totila outnumbered but he foolishly attacked the Byzantine center [where the Lombards held rank] allowing Byzantine archers and cavalry to almost completely encircle him and his men. The Ostrogoths were completely decimated [approx. 6,000 killed] and Totila indeed was one of the casualties. As before the rise of the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines once again held sway over a large portion of the Italian mainland. However, the Byzantines would soon be over powered by their once allies – the Lombards.

The Lombard Migration
In the 560s, the Lombard homeland of Pannonia was threatened by another Germanic tribe, the Avars. Remembering their tours of duty in Italy as well as the agricultural wealth that lay within the Po River Valley, the Lombards lead by King Alboin migrated to Italy in 568. Along with them, it is noted that several other Germanic tribes joined the Lombards in the march to the Po River Valley. Gepids, Sarmatians, Hunnic Bulgars, Saxons, Bavarians, and Taifali were named by medieval historians. Once inside Italy, Alboin seized Aquileia and within a year, the Lombards ruled Milan as well as a large portion of the Po Valley. In 572, Alboin was murdered by his wife, the Gepid princess, Rosamund. There is a “dark” period of Lombard history between Alboin’s murder and the reign of Agilulf [590-616], but one thing is certain; the formation of the Kingdom of the Lombards began during this period.

The Exarchate
The Lombard invasion of the Po Valley in 568 startled the Byzantine elite because Constantinople’s rulers often employed Lombard soldiers in their own army as evidenced above. In order to match up against their old allies, the Byzantine Emperor Maurice [582-602], created the Exarchs - who were to become military leaders stationed in Ravenna that had the ability to appoint both civilian and military officials as well as impose taxes and pay troops. Ravenna would now be known as the Exarchate of Ravenna. Sadly, the leadership ability of the city’s military administrators was weakened by the population’s lack of desire for paying taxes that were earmarked for Constantinople. Ravenna’s population believed that the tax money would be distributed throughout the entire Byzantine Empire instead of being set aside for the sole purpose of fighting the Lombard threat. In fact, Ravenna declared complete independence from the Byzantine Empire in both 619 and 651.

The Lombard Kingdom
Once entrenched on Italian soil, the Lombard kings chose Pavia as their capital. From this location, they were able to control a large section of northern Italy including the agricultural rich Po Valley. Two of the main kings during this time period were Agilulf [590-616] and Liutprand [712-744]. The centralization of governmental power was a major issue with the Lombards. Known as an unorganized and loosely united people, several Lombard factions broke away from their king and formed smaller independent duchies. Examples of this are the Duchies of Spoleto and Benevento. This lack of unification as well as the fact that as a people, the Lombard population was limited in number would lead to their eventual decline by the hands of the Franks.

Check out this Map of Europe in 600 for a visual reference.

Europe in 600
EurAtlas.com

Ravenna Falls
In 751, the Lombards, lead by King Aistulf [749-756] conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna. Almost instantly, the rapid decline of Byzantine power and influence on the Italian coast began. By the ninth century, Byzantine possessions were confined to Naples and its hinterland.

Side Note #1
The Lombards did indeed choose their capital as Pavia. However, they did not build from the ground up. Extensive building as well as repairs made to existing architecture was conducted by the Ostrogoth leader, Theodoric the Great. In Pavia, the Lombard kings restored the Roman baths and dedicated many fine Roman Catholic churches after their conversion in c.680.

Side Note #2
Here is a primary source on Lombard Law from the Medieval Sourcebook via Fordham University…The Lombard Law of Rothari [Click Here]

Side Note #3
Partial List of Lombard Kings:

Wacho [c. 510-540]
Audoin [c. 540-560s?]
Alboin [c. 560s-572]
Agilulf [590-616]
Liutprand [712-744]
Aistulf [749-756]

Bibliography

Davis, Norman Europe: A History Oxford University Press, 1996: p.234

Hearder, Harry Italy: A Short History Cambridge University Press, 1990: p.44-47

Internet: The Dark Age Web
Mark Furnival: 2000-2003.

Map Image from Wikipedia Commons: The Image is Copyright Free Use Per the Creators Notation