Romans Growing Beards: Identity and Historiography in Seventh-Century Italy

In the seventh century three historical works were apparently commissioned by the Lombard kings of Italy: the Short History of Secundus of Trento, a Continuation of Prosper of Aquitania until 625, and the Origins of the Lombard People. These three sources grant us with the opportunity to investigate the evolution of the Lombard self-representation in an age of conflict and shifting balances. While the first two, written in the age of Theodelinda (584-626), read Lombard history as part of the grand narrative of Christianity’s triumph, the Origins of the Lombard People bears clues to the reaction taking place during the reigns of Arioald (626-636) and Rothari (636-654). The barbarian and harsh tone of the narrative represent an ideological tool deployed to re-style the Lombard identity and self-representation in a moment of conflict against the empire.