Murder by Death: Alboin’s Life, End(s), and Means

Paul the Deacon's rich account on Alboin's deeds and death casted a long shadow on the understanding of the king's character and role in Lombard society. Through the analysis of contemporary sources a different picture emerges according to which Alboin's story was, from the seventh century on, gradually enriched to fulfill contemporary needs of the Lombard monarchy. While Alboin's myth appeared to be still very strong at the moment of the Frankish conquest of Italy, the new rulers dismissed the Lombard king as a role model for the Italian monarchy, destining the king to long-lasting oblivion